Aleurodothrips fasciapennis

Nomenclatural details

Cryptothrips fasciapennis Franklin, 1908: 727
Cephalothrips spinosus Bagnall, 1909: 174
Aleurodothrips fasciiventris Girault, 1927: 2

Biology and distribution

Described from Barbados, Glendor, St. Michael (C. fasciapennis) and Belgium, Botanical Gardens, Brussels (C. spinosus).

Distribution: Pantropical. Aleurodothrips fasciapennis most probably originates from China, but has been introduced into many subtropical and tropical countries where it is now widespread.
It feeds predatorily on the larvae of scale insects and whiteflies and has no preference for specific host plants. Aleurodothrips fasciapennis is a useful biocontrol agent against the above-mentioned pests.

References

Franklin HJ (1909) On Thysanoptera. Entomological News 20: 228–231.

Bagnall RS (1909) On the Thysanoptera of the Botanical Gardens, Brussels. Annals de la Societe entomologique de Belgique 53: 171–176.

Mound LA (1968) A review of R.S. Bagnall’s Thysanoptera collections. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology Supplement 11: 1 –181.