THE GRASS THRIPS (Anaphothrips striata, Osborn.) 



Lewis R. Cary. 



Although the grass thrips is of much and growing economic 

 importance, not only in this State, but in nearly all New Eng- 

 land, it has received but little attention in this country, either 

 from the structural or economic standpoint. Only one publica- 

 tion bearing upon the economic importance has been found.* 



In 1880 Prof. Herbert Osborn published the description of a 

 species of thrips under the name of Thrips striata, which he said 

 caused considerable damage to the grass crop in the eastern 

 states. 



In Prof. Comstock's Introduction to the Study of Insects, 

 which appeared in 1882, a species of thrips is described under 

 the name of Limothrips poaphagus. This was reported as doing 

 great damage to the early maturing grasses, especially June 

 grass, Poa pratensis. Specimens of both of these forms sent to 

 the Bureau of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture for 

 identification were referred to the genus Anaphothrips. The 

 specific name striata, given by Prof. Osborn, was retained on 

 account of priority. 



Before the question of the scientific name of the insect had 

 been finally settled, it was the common custom to speak of it as 

 the "grass thrips," and that name is still commonly applied to it 

 except in strictly scientific writings. 



description. 



A large proportion of the maturer insects are females. They 

 vary in length from one millimeter to one and one-half milli- 

 meters and are of two forms, winged and wingless. Both forms 

 are comparatively long and slender and taper toward each end 

 from the region of the thorax. 



* Fernalcl and Hinds. The Grass Thrips. Treatment for Thrips in Greenhouses 

 Bui. 67, May, 1900. Hatch Exp. Sta., Mass. Agr. College. 



