Klambothrips myopori

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Both sexes fully winged. Body and legs dark brown with tarsi yellow, antennal segments III–VI and sometimes base of VII yellow. Antennae 8-segmented, III with one sensorium, IV with three sensoria, VIII broad at base. Head longer than wide; cheeks with one pair of stout setae in basal third; maxillary stylets retracted at least to postocular setae; postocular setae no larger than minor setae. Pronotum with three pairs of capitate major setae, anteromarginals and midlaterals usually no larger than discals. Prosternal basantra not developed; mesopresternum reduced to two small lateral triangles. Fore tarsus with inner apex slightly recurved forming a small tooth in female; large male with fore tarsal tooth massive and femora swollen. Fore wing parallel sided, with 6–9 duplicated cilia; with one or two capitate sub-basal setae. Pelta triangular, reticulate, with paired campaniform sensilla; tergites II–VII with two pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 shorter than tube, bluntly pointed to weakly capitate, S3 acute; anal setae long.

Male similar to female; sternite VIII without pore plate.

Variation

Adult body size varies considerably, both within and between sexes. Large males have much larger fore legs than small males.

Related and similar species

The genus Klambothrips includes four described species from Australia, two causing leaf distortion on Myoporaceae species and two causing similar damage on Asteraceae species (Mound & Morris, 2007). A further species remains to be described that lives on Myoporum insulare in southern Australia.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Klambothrips myopori Mound & Morris

Original name and synonyms

• Klambothrips myopori Mound & Morris, 2007: 35-45

Family placement

Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae

Biological data

Life history

Larvae, pupae and adults on young terminal leaves of host-plant

Host plants

Myoporum laetum, Myoporum spp. (Myoporaceae)

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

Causing severe leaf distortion and stunting plant growth

Distribution data

Area of origin

Australia, or more likely New Zealand

Distribution

USA, California, Hawaii; Australia (Tasmania).