Figures

Fig. 1 Antenna, head, thorax and abdomen
Fig. 2 Head (dorsal)
Fig. 3 Fore and hind wing
Fig. 4 Pronotum
Fig. 5 Meso- and metanotum
Fig. 6 Tergite VII and VIII
Fig. 7 Sternite VI

Species

Biology

Breeding in the flowers and on the leaves of African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), on which it can cause considerable damage.

Distribution

Probably originating in Central America, specimens have been seen from Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida, Hawaii, Japan, eastern Australia, and southern Brazil.

Recognition

Large, bicoloured thrips; brown with anterior margin of pronotum and abdominal segments IV-VII yellow, tibiae largely yellow, and forewing white with two brown cross bands. Antennae 8-segmented, sense cones on III & IV short and forked. Head with 3 pairs of curved setae associated with the ocelli. Pronotum with posteromedian area delimited and bearing one pair of posteroangular setae. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of median setae, one pair in front of the other. Metanotum with transverse striae on anterior half, longitudinal striae on posterior half; median setae at anterior margin. Forewing with complete row of setae on first vein, no setae on second vein. Metasternum with Y-shaped apodeme. Tergites with close set rows of microtrichia on lateral thirds and with posteromarginal comb of microtrichia laterally; VII & VIII with posteromarginal comb complete medially. Sternites almost covered with microtrichia. Male with no sternal glandular areas.

Related species

Unfortunately, this widespread pest species was referred to incorrectly by Mound et al. (1996) under the name Neohydatothrips pseudoannulipes Johansen, an innocuous species that is known only from Mexico. The genus Neohydatothrips includes about 80 species, but the native Australian species remain very poorly defined.