Oelschlaegera Bhatti

Nakahara, Sueo & Foottit, Robert G., 2012, Review of Chirothrips and related genera (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) of the Americas, with descriptions of one new genus and four new species, Zootaxa 3251, pp. 1-29 : 23

Oelschlaegera Bhatti

Oelschlaegera Bhatti 1990: 198 . Type species: Chirothrips madagassus zur Strassen by original designation.

Female: Macropterous. Antennal segment I not enlarged, less than 2.5 times as wide as base of segment II; segment II produced laterally, lateral process with a rather pronounced apex, subapical seta on lateral margin; anterior margin straight. Head strongly produced anterior of compound eyes, lateral margin of vertex at least 50 µm long, about as long as compound eye; 14 plus pairs of short conical setae on vertex. Pronotum subtrapezoidal, with shorter, conical setae than on head. Fore femur with pair of stout distal setae. Prospinasternum well developed band. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of conical setae positioned medially, near or on posterior margin; mesosternal furca invaginations not separated. Metanotum with median pair of conical setae. Fore wings with well developed costal setae. Abdominal tergites and sternites with transversely oriented sculpturing, with broad transverse posteromarginal flange; anterior tergites with conical setae; sternites with 3 pairs of setae on II–VII, sternites II–IV with conical or less stout setae; ovipositors well developed, with teeth.

Males: Unknown.

Comments: This genus differs from Chirothrips females by having many conical setae on the head, and several conical setae on the mesonotum, metanotum and anterior abdominal tergites and sternites; fore femur has a pair of stout, spine-like distal setae; and abdominal sternites have broad posteromarginal flange. In Chirothrips 2–6 pairs of bristle-like or short, stout setae are on the head, mesonotum and metanotum; abdominal tergites have bristle-like or nearly spine-like setae; fore femur lack stout, spine-like distal setae; and abdominal sternites either lack posteromarginal flange or the flange may be present as lobes, teeth, or elongated plates. The concept of Oelschlaegera is here revised.