Liothrips vaneeckei

Fig. 1	Fig. 2	Fig. 3	Fig. 4
Fig. 5	Fig. 6

Figures

Fig. 1 Antenna, head, thorax and abdomen

Fig. 2 Head (dorsal)

Fig. 3 Pronotum

Fig. 4 Prosternal plates

Fig. 5 Fore wing

Fig. 6 Tergite IX and X (tube, male)

Species

Liothrips vaneeckei Priesner

Biology

Breeding on the bulbs of certain lilies and orchids; sometimes reaching pest levels.

Distribution

Widely distributed by the horticultural trade, but only locally common.

Recognition

Body colour dark brown; antennal segment III yellow, also all tarsi, fore tibiae and distal half of mid and hind tibiae; forewings mainly clear but with a light brown longitudinal marking. Head longer than wide, postocular setae long and pointed. Antennae 8-segmented, III with 1 sense cone, IV with 3 sense cones. Pronotum with 5 pairs of long pointed setae. Forewings with about 9 duplicated cilia on posterior margin. Fore tarsi with no tooth. Tergites each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; IX with 3 pairs of long pointed setae; tube about 0.8 times length of head. Male similar to female; sternite VIII with broad glandular area; tergite IX setae B1 pair short and stout.

Related species

The genus Liothrips contains about 230 described species, although in the Australian region many similar species but with rather shorter setae are commonly referred to a further genus, Teuchothrips. Members of both genera are largely host specific, and few are recorded as pests. Species recognition in this group remains very difficult, but the lily bulb thrips is unusual in having the mid and hind tibiae sharply bicoloured.