Forficuloecus wilsoni Price, Johnson, and Palma, new species

(Figs. 15–17)

Type host. Platycercus venustus (Kuhl, 1820), the Northern Rosella.

Male. Dorsal abdomen as in Fig. 16. Tergal setae: II–VII, 6–10; VIII, 6–7. Tergite IX with well developed lateral plates, distinct median gap between them. Sternal setae: II, 2–3; III–VI, 6–11; VII, 3–6. Genitalia (Fig. 17) with evenly curved parameres and very long penis shaped as shown.

Female. Dorsal abdomen as in Fig. 15. Tergal setae: II, 12–13; III, 9–13; IV, 12; V–VI, 8–11; VII, 8; VIII, 6–7. Sternal setae: II, 2; III–V, 8–10; VI, 7–8; VII, 4–6.

Type material. Holotype male (ANIC), ex P. venustus, AUSTRALIA: Northwest Territory, Pine Creek, 24 Oct. 2002, D.H. Clayton, ANWC 33998 & 99. Paratypes (UU, INHS): 2 males, 4 females, same data holotype.

Remarks. Both sexes of F. w i l s o n i and F. palmai Guimarães represent the largest members of this species group. However, both sexes of F. w i l s o n i have consistently fewer tergal setae on most abdominal segments and males are distinctive by their strongly defined tergite IX and details of the genitalia (Fig. 17 vs Fig. 20).

Etymology. This species is named for Robert Wilson, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, in recognition of his assistance in collecting lice from a wide range of avian hosts.