Haplothrips leucanthemi
(Schrank, 1781)
clover thrips, red clover thrips
Haplothrips leucanthemi is a tube-tailed thrips in the Phlaeothripidae, originally described from Europe and now recorded across North and South America. It is florivorous, feeding on flowers and pollen of Asteraceae plants, and has been observed as an effective of these . The species is bisexual, contrasting with the parthenogenetic form H. niger, which molecular and studies suggest is or a of H. leucanthemi rather than a distinct species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Haplothrips leucanthemi: /ˌhæploʊˈθrɪps luˈkænθəmaɪ/
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Identification
can be distinguished from the parthenogenetic form H. niger by several morphological features: prothorax and abdominal segment IX length, prothorax epimeral setae, postocular setae shape, and diameter on abdominal segment VIII. Second instar larvae differ from H. niger in body length, length, prothorax setae lengths, and spiracle dimensions. High intraspecific genetic diversity has been documented, complicating morphological identification.
Images
Habitat
Flowers of plants, particularly Asteraceae . Laboratory rearing has been successful at 22°C with 16-hour light and 8-hour dark at 60% relative humidity.
Distribution
Europe (including Albania, Austria, Finland, Russia, and eastern Poland), North America (including Iowa), and South America.
Diet
Florivorous; feeds on flowers (crown petals or pollen) and fruits.
Host Associations
- Leucanthemum vulgare - Asteraceae; flowers and pollen consumed
- Leucanthemum ircutianum - Asteraceae; flowers and pollen consumed
Life Cycle
Development includes larval stages; second instar larvae have been described morphologically. and larvae (females) have been collected from plants.
Behavior
Effective of Asteraceae plants.
Ecological Role
of Asteraceae plants. Not recognized as a pest of Trifolium (clover) crops, unlike H. niger.
Human Relevance
Not considered an agricultural pest. The closely related form H. niger is a recognized pest in clover-seed plantations, but H. leucanthemi itself is not associated with Trifolium crop damage.
Similar Taxa
- Haplothrips nigerFormerly considered a distinct parthenogenetic , but molecular (COI, 28S, ITS2) and analyses do not support its distinctiveness from H. leucanthemi. Morphological differences exist in and larvae, but these likely represent intraspecific variation or biotypic differentiation.
More Details
Microbiota
The profiles of H. leucanthemi and H. niger are similar, both containing the endosymbiotic bacteria and . However, these were not predominantly found in H. niger, making their role in in that form unlikely.
Genetic diversity
Molecular analyses have revealed high intraspecific genetic diversity in H. leucanthemi, which may complicate delineation and identification.