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Family Phlaeothripidae - Tube-tailed Thrips

Representative Images

unknown bug thrips Tiny red insect Phlaeothripidae? Thrips thrips Tube-tailed thrips Unknown Nymphs, North Texas

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Thysanoptera (Thrips)
Family Phlaeothripidae (Tube-tailed Thrips)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

the only member of the suborder Tubulifera(1)

Numbers

by far the largest thrips family, with ~350 spp. in 77 genera in our area(2) and 3500 spp. worldwide, arranged in 2 subfamilies(1)

Identification

Most species are larger and stouter than those in the suborder Terebrantia. Mostly dark brown or black, often with light-colored or mottled wings.

Range

worldwide; more diverse in tropical and subtropical areas; no species appears to be resident at high altitudes or in the subarctic/subantarctic regions(1)

Food

Most are spore feeders, some are predaceous on small insects and mites; others are plant feeders. Some may be of economic importance.

Remarks

Some species contain winged and micropterous (reduced wings) adults. e.g. Hoplothrips cunctans both sexes short-winged.

Works Cited

1.World Thysanoptera
2.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 17 August, 2006 - 12:17pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, v belov
Last updated 23 June, 2019 - 1:21pm

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