Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Body yellow, fore wings pale with brown cross-bands at base and medially; antennal segments V–VI with apex brown. Antennae 8-segmented, VII–VIII slender, III–IV with sensorium forked and slender. Head wider than long; only 2 pairs of ocellar setae, pair III within ocellar triangle. Pronotum with 2 pairs of major posteroangular setae, the external pair no longer than width of antennal segment III; 2 pairs of posteromarginal setae; prosternal basantra with 2 pairs of discal setae. Metanotum weakly reticulate, median setae small and placed well behind anterior margin. Fore wing slender, first vein with 3 setae on distal half, second vein with 3–4 setae. Tergites weakly sculptured medially, posterior margins with complete craspedum; VIII with area of specialised sculpture extending anteromesad from spiracle. Sternites with large lobed craspedum, except medially on VII; median setae on VII arise in front of posterior margin.

Male unknown.

Related and similar species

The genus Chaetanaphothrips comprises about 20 species, most with restricted distributions in SE Asia (Nonaka & Okajima, 1992). Three species are widespread in tropical countries, the other two being C. signipennis and C. leeuwenii, and these two species differ from C. orchidii in having only one pair of pronotal posteroangular setae well-developed.

Distribution data

General distribution

Widespread in tropical and subtropical countries, also in greenhouses in temperate areas.

Australian distribution

South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland.

Biological data

Life history

Feeding and breeding on leaves, and sometimes causing commercial damage

Host plants

Orchids (Orchidaceae), Musa sp. (Musaceae), Citrus (Rutaceae), and some greenhouse plants.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Chaetanaphothrips orchidii (Moulton)

Original name and synonyms

• Euthrips orchidii Moulton, 1907: 52
• Euthrips marginemtorquens Karny, 1914: 362

References

Mound LA & Marullo R. 1996. The Thrips of Central and South America: An Introduction. Memoirs on Entomology, International 6: 1-488.

Nonaka T & Okajima S. 1992. Descriptions of seven new species of the genus Chaetanaphothrips Priesner (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from East Asia. Japanese Journal of Entomology 60: 433-447.