Gigantothrips Zimmermann

Dang, Li-Hong, Mound, Laurence A. & Qiao, Ge-Xia, 2014, Conspectus of the Phlaeothripinae genera from China and Southeast Asia (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), Zootaxa 3807 (1), pp. 1-82 : 32-33

Gigantothrips Zimmermann

( Figs 39–42 )

Gigantothrips Zimmermann, 1900: 18 . Type species: Gigantothrips elegans Zimmermann , by monotypy.

Syringothrips Priesner, 1933b: 77 . Type species: Syringothrips gallicola Priesner , by monotypy. Syn.n.

The type species of this genus differs from the other included species in that the anterior margin of the pronotum bears a row of about eight pairs of short, stout setae but not the usual two pairs of major setae, and abdominal tergites III–V bear laterally a pair of longitudinal rows of four sigmoid wing-retaining setae ( Fig. 42 ). Other members of the genus have the number of pairs of major pronotal setae varying from zero to the typical five of Phlaeothripidae , and laterally on the tergites there are multiple pairs of straight to semi-sigmoid wing-retaining setae. Type specimens of two of the Gynaikothrips species described from the Philippines have been studied (in ANIC), and these are here transferred to Gigantothrips because of the presence of numerous pairs of tergal wing retaining setae ( Figs 39, 41 ): Gigantothrips pontis (Reyes) comb.n. and Gigantothrips xynos (Reyes) comb.n. Moreover, the original female of Syringothrips gallicola Priesner has been examined, and is here considered to be related to nigrodentatus Karny in Gigantothrips . As a result, there are now 22 species listed in this genus, of which 10 are from Africa, one from Mexico, and five from India. One species is widespread from India to the Philippines, including China, on the leaves of Ficus . A second species, described from Sri Lanka, is recorded from southern China, and one species is known only from Java. There are two un-named species in NZMC, Beijing. This genus is closely related to Gynaikothrips , also to Leeuwenia , but is distinguished because of the presence on tergites III–V of multiple wing-retaining setae, many of which are straight not sigmoid.

Diagnosis: Head much longer than wide, cheeks parallel-sided with a few stout setae; eyes normal, postocular setae minute; stylets retracted to one third of head, close together; antennae slender, 8-segmented, III with 1 sensorium, IV with 3; pronotum with major setae often short, notopleural sutures incomplete (or complete) ( Fig. 40 ); basantra absent; mesopresternum transverse; sternopleural sutures absent; fore tarsal tooth usually present in both sexes; fore wings parallel-sided, with numerous duplicated cilia; pelta triangular; tergites II–VII with at least 4 pairs of wing-retaining setae, usually with several accessory wing-retaining setae ( Figs 39, 41, 42 ); tube long and slender with fine setae on the surface, usually longer than head, anal setae short; male sternite VIII without pore plate.

Figures

FIGURES 38–42. Phlaeothripinae genera. (38) Gynaikothrips uzeli, head & pronotum. Gigantothrips spp. 39–42: (39) pontis, tergite III; (40) elegans, pronotum; (41) xynos; (42) elegans, tergites III–IV.