Rhipidothrips brunneus

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Both sexes fully winged or micropterous. Body, legs and antennae largely brown, tarsi yellow, also apex of tibiae and base of mid and hind femora; antennal segments I–II brown, III almost yellow; fore wing pale with posterior margin weakly shaded. Antennae 9-segmented, VII–IX forming a unit, segments III–IV with transverse sensorium at apex. Head longer than wide, with less than 5 pairs of small ante-ocellar setae, inter-ocellar setae prominent and arise on anterior margin of ocellar triangle; vertex sculptured. Pronotum with 1 pair of long posteroangular setae, 2 (or 3) pairs of posteromarginals. Mesonotum without microtrichia on sculpture lines. Metanotum with elongate reticulations in macropterae, but irregular sculpture in micropterae, without microtrichia, median setae near posterior margin. Fore tarsus with strongly recurved hamus. Fore wing with cross veins visible. Abdominal tergites with transverse reticulation, trichobothria on X about as large as major setal bases. Sternites III–VI with 2 or 3 pairs of posteromarginal setae, lateral pairs arise far forward on disc; sternite VII with 4 pairs of posteromarginal setae, 2 pairs of supernumerary setae, but without discal setae laterally.

Male tergite I with paired longitudinal ridges scarcely one third as long as tergite.

Related and similar species

Apart from this species that is widespread in Europe, there is a second Rhipidothrips species in western Europe between Finland and Spain, three further species are known from southeastern Europe, and one from the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands (zur Strassen, 2003).

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Rhipidothrips brunneus Williams

Original name and synonyms

• Rhipidothrips brunneus Williams, 1913: 216
• Rhipidothrips cahirensis Priesner, 1932: 45

Family placement

Aeolothripidae

Biological data

Life history

Presumably predatory on other thrips (Bailey, 1954).

Host plants

Grasses, often in damp places.

Tospoviruses vectored

None

Crop damage

None recorded

Distribution data

Area of origin

Western Europe

Distribution

Widespread across western Europe to Egypt, also Western Australia and California.