Ankothrips yuccae

Ankothrips yuccae can be distinguished from similar thrips by the combination of: nine-segmented antennae with segment 9 longer than segment 8; transverse sensoria on antennal segments 3-4; serrate ventro-lateral lobe on segment 2; ocellar setae I on a conical, slightly bifurcate tubercle; five pairs of prominent setae on the pronotum posterior margin; and the distinctive lobed sixth sternite with paired setae. The association with Yucca whipplei provides additional ecological context for identification.

Both sexes are winged. Body, legs, and antennae are light brown to brown, with antennal segments 3-4 paler. Forewings are fuscous with base slightly paler. Antennae have nine segments; segment 9 is longer than segment 8. Sensoria are transverse on segments 3-4. Segment 2 has its apex prolonged ventro-laterally into a serrate lobe. Head has ocellar setae I arising on a conical, slightly bifurcate tubercle, with ocellar setae III arising within the ocellar triangle. Three pairs of prominent postocular setae are present. Pronotum posterior margin bears 5 pairs of prominent setae. Mesonotum has microtrichia. Metanotum is striate medially with median setae near posterior margin. Abdominal tergite 8 has median setae scarcely 0.3 times as long as the tergite. Tergite 10 has paired, well-developed trichobothria. Sixth sternite posterior margin has a pair of lobes, each bearing two setae at the base.

Associated with Yucca whipplei host plants in California. Specific microhabitat details beyond the host plant association are not documented.

California, North America. Distribution records indicate presence in North America with specific documentation from California.

• Yucca whipplei - host plantBreeds on this host without causing major harm

Breeds on Yucca whipplei without causing major harm to the host plant. No known vectors have been documented.

• Other MelanthripidaeSimilar in general thrips morphology, but Ankothrips yuccae is distinguished by the specific antennal segmentation, sensoria arrangement, and sternite structure described in the original description.
• Other Ankothrips speciesCongeneric species would share genus-level traits; A. yuccae is distinguished by the combination of antennal features, pronotal setae number, and sternite morphology.

• thrips
• Yucca-associated
• California endemic
• Melanthripidae
• 1926 description

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Encyrtid Holdings | Entomology Research Museum