Mesandrothrips inquilinus (Priesner)

Mound, Laurence A. & Tree, Desley J., 2019, Rediagnoses of the Asian genera Xylaplothrips and Mesandrothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae, Haplothripini), with keys to Australian species, Zootaxa 4613 (2), pp. 327-341 : 334-335

Mesandrothrips inquilinus (Priesner) comb.rev.

( Fig. 12 )

Haplothrips inquilinus Priesner, 1921: 4 .

Although Priesner (1933) mentioned this as the only species in his new genus Mesandrothrips , it was placed by Pitkin (1976) into Xylaplothrips without further comment. Described from Java, three further species described from India were recognised as synonyms of inquilinus by Pitkin (1976: 272), and the species is known as an invader of galls of various thrips species that is widespread from southern India to Indonesia. The type specimen of inquilinus (and of the closely similar species inquinatus from Java) have the mesopresternum complete but slender medially, in contrast to darci from Australia. The unique holotype of inquinatus is essentially similar to inquilinus but has the antennal segments IV–VI light brown. As indicated in the key above, inquilinus is interpreted here as having antennal segment III relatively short and broad, but with sense cones that are unusually long and stout, and the mid and hind tibiae variable in colour from largely yellow to extensively brown.

Female macroptera. Head with maxillary stylets retracted to postocular setae, wide apart with prominent maxillary bridge; postocular setae long and capitate. Antennal segments III–VI usually extensively yellow on basal half ( Fig. 12 ). Pronotum with 4 pairs of capitate setae, am setae minute and acute. Mesonotal lateral setae long and capitate; metanotum weakly reticulate medially, median setae small and acute. Mesopresternum slender medially. Fore tarsus with small forwardly directed tooth near inner apex. Fore wing with 6–8 duplicated cilia; sub-basal setae S3 long and capitate. Pelta broadly and irregularly triangular; tergal lateral setae weakly capitate or bluntly pointed; tergite IX setae S1 pointed.

Measurements (female from Timor Leste in microns). Body length 2300. Head, length 240; postocular setae 80. Pronotum, length 140; epimeral setae 100;posteroangular setae 80. Fore wing sub-basal setae S3 125. Tergite IX setae S1 115. Tube length 125.

Material studied. Paralectotypes, Indonesia, Java, Semarang , 1 female, 3 males in gall on Smilax , i.1912 (in Senckenberg Frankfurt Museum) . Thailand, Sechong , 1 female from gall on Ficus benjiamina , vi.2018 . Cambodia, Phnom Penh , 1 female from leaf gall on Polyalthia longifolia , 6.iv.2014 ( DJT) . Singapore, Singapore Zoo , 1 female from leaf roll gall on Ficus microcarpa , 25.ix.2007 ( DJT) . Timor Leste, Aileu , 2 females from gall on Piper sarmentosa , viii.2018 (in ANIC) .

Figures

FIGURES 9–18. Mesandrothrips species.Antennae 9–14: (9) austrosteensia; (10) clavipes; (11) googongi; (12) inquilinus; (13) kurandae; (14) lamingtoni; (15) oleariae; (16) pictipes. (17) googongi male aedeagus. (18) darci antennal segments II–V.