Propesolomonthrips Reyes

Okajima, Shûji & Masumoto, Masami, 2025, Some Poaceae-inhabiting Phlaeothripinae (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) in East Asia, with descriptions of six new genera and 18 new species, Zootaxa 5726 (1), pp. 1-68 : 53

Propesolomonthrips Reyes

Propesolomonthrips Reyes, 1994: 473 . Type-species: Propesolomonthrips mindorensis Reyes , by monotypy.

This monobasic genus was erected for P. mindorensis based on a unique holotype male collected from bamboo in Mindoro Is., the Philippines, and is probably a member of the Phlaeothrips -lineage. It was originally compared with Solomonthrips and Phylladothrips , because these genera unusually have two pairs of wing-retaining setae on abdominal tergite VIII. However, these three genera are probably not closely related to each other. Apparently Propesolomonthrips is somewhat similar to Solomonthrips , but the latter genus has the prothoracic anteroangular setae reduced and may be related to litter-inhabiting Mystrothrips and/or Terthrothrips . Phylladothrips has the maxillary stylets long and close together and the prothoracic anteromarginal setae usually reduced, and it may be related to Apelaunothrips and/or Adraneothrips . Because in Propesolomonthrips the maxillary stylets are short and scarcely retracted into the head capsule, as well as a similar habitat on bamboo, there is a possibility that this genus is more closely related to one of the bamboo-inhabiting phlaeothripines, Bamboosiella . It is distinguishable from typical Bamboosiella species by having prosternal basantra, wing-retaining setae present on tergite VIII and the metanotum sculptured with closely spaced longitudinal striae or reticulation. The type-species, P. mindorensis , is very similar in appearance to Bamboosiella rugata described from Guangdong in China. According to Zhao et al. (2018), B. rugata also has closely spaced longitudinal reticulation on the metanotum and weakly developed basantra, but there is no mention of wing-retaining setae on abdominal tergite VIII. Moreover, B. sculpta from Hainan, China, has the metanotum with somewhat intermediate, roughly longitudinal reticulation. Therefore, there is a possibility that Propesolomonthrips represents an exceptional species within the genus Bamboosiella .

Diagnosis. Known only from macropterae, major body setae stout and expanded. Head almost as long as wide, or a little longer, dorsal surface distinctly reticulate, with a pair of postocular setae. Postocular setae arose behind mid-point of eyes. Eyes and ocelli well-developed. Antennae eight-segmented, segment VIII slightly constricted at base; segment III and IV with (1+1) and (1+2 +1) sense cones respectively. Mouth cone short and rounded; maxillary stylets short, scarcely retracted into head capsule, V-shaped; maxillary bridge absent, at least invisible. Pronotum with 5 pairs of expanded setae; notopleural sutures complete. Basantra present. Mesopresternum transverse; sternopleural sutures absent, metaspinula present. Fore tarsi unarmed in both sexes. Fore wings weakly constricted medially, with duplicated cilia. Pelta hat-shaped. Tergites II–VIII with 2 pairs of wing-retaining setae. Tube straight-sided, shorter than head; terminal setae a little shorter than tube. Male: sternite VIII without pore plate; tergite IX S2 setae much shorter than S1.