1 - Terminal abdominal segments taper to a point, ovipositor present
(Terebrantia) (2)Vegetable Thrips Identification Key for Field Personnel
1' - Terminal abdominal segments are in the form of a tube, saw-like
ovipositor lacking (Tubulifera)
2(1) - Prothorax with anteroangular and anteromarginal setae absent
(3)
2' - Prothorax with anteroangular and anteromarginal setae well
developed (Frankliniella spp.) (5)
3(2) - Basic body color dark brown to black; pronotum with only
posteroangular setae well developed, although these are short,
and may be difficult to see (Limothrips cerealium)
(Haliday)
3' - Basic body color paler, yellow or gray; pronotum with both
posteroangular and posteromarginal setae well developed (Thrips
spp.) (4)
4 - Basic body color yellow; causing characteristic damage on
peppers, eggplants and snap beans; does not reproduce on tomatoes
or strawberries; currently limited to south Florida and Hawaii
in the US (Thrips palmi Karny)
4' - Basic body color yellowish gray to dark brown; reproduces
on tomatoes; currently ranges into temperate US (Thrips tabaci
Lindeman)
5(2') - Prothorax with anteroangular and anteromarginal setae
equal in length or nearly so (6)
5' - Prothorax with anteroangular setae longer than anteromarginal
setae (7)
6(5) - Postocular and interocellar setae equal in length (Frankliniella occidentalis
(Pergande))
6' - Postocular setae shorter than interocellar setae (Frankliniella schultzei
(Trybom))
7(5') - Postocular setae minute, not visible with low magnification;
body color dark brown (Frankliniella fusca
(Hinds))
7' - Postocular setae may be difficult to see, but are visible
at 20x magnification (8)
8(7') - Apex of second antennal segment produced over base of
third antennal segment, bearing two heavy spines (Frankliniella bispinosa
(Morgan))
8' - Apex of second antennal segment simple, not extending over
base of third segment and bearing slender spines (Frankliniella tritici
(Fitch))