schultzei (Trybom, 1910)

(Figs 16, 17, 51, 74, 104, 141)

Described originally from Africa in the genus Physopus, this species has 17 synonyms from various tropical countries around the world. It is an unusual species because ocellar setal pair III arise close together between the anterior margins of the posterior ocelli, and abdominal tergite VIII of females has no posteromarginal comb. The body colour is variable, either brown, with pronotum, tibiae and tarsi paler, or yellow with faint shadings on the tergites. This thrips is of economic importance because of its association with many crops, and its ability to transmit tospoviruses.