Figures
Fig. 1 Head (dorsal)
Fig. 2 Pronotum
Fig. 3 Meso- and metanotum
Fig. 4 Sternites I-III (male, with pore plates)
Fig. 5 Tergite VIII (female)
Species
Chaetanaphothrips signipennis Bagnall
Biology
Apparently polyphagous, although particularly associated with orchids.
Distribution
Widespread in the tropics and subtropics, also in greenhouses in temperate regions, but presumably originally from south east Asia.
Recognition
Small yellow thrips, forewings dark with sub-basal and apical areas pale; antennal segments IV-VI yellow with apex brown. Head with one pair of setae anterolateral to first ocellus. Antennae 8-segmented, segments VII & VIII forming a slender style. Pronotum with only one pair of posteroangular setae. Metanotum weakly reticulate medially, median setae far behind anterior margin. Tergites and sternites with a weak craspedum. Tergite VIII spiracular area extending forward to antecostal ridge and then extending toward the mid-line. Sternite III with a slender transverse glandular area. Male tergite IX with pair of very stout thorn-like setae and two pairs of smaller tubercles; sternites III-VII with a transverse glandular area.
Related species
About 20 species are now know in this genus, mostly from south east Asia, but three species, signipennis, orchidii and leeuweni (=clarus), are widespread around the tropics as pests. This species is unusual in that the females have a sternal glandular area on sternite III.