Colour largely yellow but abdominal tergites III–VIII each with a transverse light brown area medially; antennal segment I yellow, II–VIII brown; fore wings uniformly brown. Head with three pairs of ocellar setae, pair III small and arising close to anterior margin of posterior ocelli. Antennae 8-segmented, III & IV with forked sense cones. Pronotum rectangular, transversely striate and with one pair of long posteroangular setae. Meso & metathoracic spinula well developed. Metanotum with irregular reticulation posteromedially; paired campaniform sensilla absent; two pairs of setae, median pair long and arising slightly behind anterior margin. Tarsi 2-segmented. Fore wing with first and second row of setae widely interrupted. Abdominal tergites II–VIII with lateral thirds covered in closely spaced rows of fine microtrichia, posterior margin with fine comb; tergite VIII with comb complete; III–VI with a pair of small and close together median setae. Sternites with no discal setae but covered with rows of microtrichia, except anteromedially. Both sexes fully winged.
Male without sternal pore plates.
Intraspecific variation
Not recorded.
Genus and similar species information
This genus comprises more than 100 species, almost all of them from tropics or subtropics. Most of the members have pale body colour, pronotum transversely striate and lateral thirds of abdominal tergites covered with regular rows of minute microtrichia. Some species within this group show a wide range of variation, resulting sometimes in mistaken taxonomic decisions (Mound & Zur Strassen 2001). According to Moulton (1933), Scirtothrips manihoti, is closely related to Scirtothrips bondari but is distinguished by its brown markings on abdominal tergites and the brown fore wings.
World distribution
Described from Brazil, it is also recorded from Argentina and Central America.
Breeding on leaves; frequently collected on Manihot esculenta (Euphorbiaceae).
Economic importance
Possibly related to leaf distortion on cassava plants.
References suggested
Moulton D (1933) The Thysanoptera of South America II. Revista de Entomologia 3: 96–133.
Mound LA & Palmer JM (1981) Identification, distribution and host-plants of the pest species of Scirtothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 71: 467–479.
Mound LA & zur Strassen R (2001). The genus Scirtothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Mexico: a critique of the review by Johansen & Mojica-Guzmán (1998). Folia Entomologica Mexicana 40(1): 133–142.
Published in: 03/01/2017 Posted by: Mariana Lindner
