Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Body and legs yellow, tergites VIII–X lightly shaded, II–III sometimes shaded anterolaterally; antennal segments I–III yellow, V–VII brown, VI intermediate; fore wings pale with two transverse darker markings. Antennae 7-segmented; III–IV with sensorium simple. Head large, slightly wider than long; 2 pairs of ocellar setae, pair III long and lateral to first ocellus; postocular setae pair II displaced posteriorly. Maxillary palps 2-segmented. Pronotum with little sculpture, 2 pairs of long posteroangular setae, 3 pairs of posteromarginals; discal setae small, but anterior margin with one pair of longer setae. Mesonotal anterior campaniform sensilla present, median setae far ahead of posterior margin. Metanotum almost striate, median setae not at anterior margin; no campaniform sensilla. Prosternal ferna almost complete; meso and metafurca with no spinula. Fore wing first vein with 3–4 setae on distal half; clavus with discal seta. Tergite I median setae variable, 15–25 microns; II with one of the 4 lateral marginal setae variably displaced toward midline; V–VIII with paired ctenidia, posteromesad of spiracle on VIII; tergite VIII posteromarginal comb represented by a few short microtrichia laterally. Sternites III–VII with 10–12 discal setae, marginal setae all arise at margin.

Male macroptera. Similar to female in colour and structure; sternites III–VII with broad pore plate anterior to discal setae.

Related and similar species

The genus Bolacothrips currently includes 12 species from various parts of the Old World between Europe and Australia. They are similar to Thrips species in their abdominal ctenidia but the antennal sensoria are simple not forked. Most of the specimens identified from Australia as B. striatopennatus have the lateral four setae on tergite II almost in a straight line, with one only slightly displaced toward the midline. Also, the median setae on tergite I are usually shorter than in Asian specimens of this species, and tergite II is less clearly shaded anterolaterally.

Distribution data

General distribution

Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Guam, Australia.

Australian distribution

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria.

Biological data

Life history

Feeding and breeding on leaves.

Host plants

Various grasses (Poaceae).

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Bolacothrips striatopennatus (Schmutz)

Original name and synonyms

• Thrips striatopennata Schmutz, 1913: 1002
• Bolacothrips orientalis Priesner, 1935: 359
• Bolacidothrips orizae Moulton, 1942: 10

References

Mound LA. 2011. Grass-dependent Thysanoptera of the family Thripidae from Australia. Zootaxa 3064: 1–40. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt03064p040.pdf