Azaleothrips floresi, Okajima, Shûji & Masumoto, Masami, 2014

Okajima, Shûji & Masumoto, Masami, 2014, Species-richness in the Oriental fungus-feeding thrips of the genus Azaleothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), Zootaxa 3846 (3), pp. 301-347 : 320

Azaleothrips floresi sp.n.

( Figs 45–49 )

Female macroptera. Body dark brown, pelta and median portion of posterior 1/4 of metathorax somewhat paler. Antennal segment III yellowish, shaded with brown at apical 2/3, basal 1/4 of segment IV ( Fig. 48 ) and basal neck of segment V yellowish. All femora dark brown with apical 1/4 yellowish; fore tibiae yellow, shaded with brown medially, mid and hind tibiae brown, with basal 1/4 and apical 1/3 yellowish. Fore wing very weakly shaded, almost colorless at middle and apex.

Head ( Fig. 45 ) almost as long as wide; dorsal surface generally strongly reticulate, reticles with fine wrinkles. Postocular setae shorter than half the length of compound eye. Antennal segment VIII distinct from segment VII; segments VII + VIII almost as long as segment III, or a little shorter; segment IV almost as long as segment III; segment III with three (1 + 2), segment IV with four sensoria. Pronotum ( Fig. 46 ) entirely reticulate, not tuberculate, usually with more than 25 short setae (31 setae in holotype). Basantra absent. Mesonotum ( Fig. 49 ) with very small tubercles or dentate microtrichia along transverse lines of sculpture, almost smooth among lines. Metanotum ( Fig. 49 ) longitudinally reticulate or striate, with weak wrinkles among reticles or striae; anterior half usually with 7 to 9 short setae (9 setae in holotype). Fore tarsus with a tooth. Fore wing with 7/8 duplicated cilia in holotype. Pelta weakly reticulate. S1 setae on abdominal tergite IX a little shorter than half the length of tube; S2 setae on tergite IX expanded at apex. Tube about two-thirds the length of head, or a little longer, about 0.7 times as long as head in holotype. Anal setae longer than tube.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Distended body length. Head length 200, width across cheeks 200. Pronotum length 143, width 245. Fore wing length 750. Tube length 138, width across base 58. Antenna length about 410, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 68 (35), 68 (35), 57 (28), 51 (25), 39 (22), 25 (14). Postocular setae 35–36. S1 setae on tergite IX 63 –66, S2 setae on tergite IX 72 –80. Anal setae about 165–168.

Male macroptera. Color and structure very similar to female. Mid and hind tibiae somewhat paler than those of female; abdominal segment VIII paler than segment IX. Pore plate on abdominal sternite VIII distinct. S2 setae on abdominal tergite IX blunt, but nearly pointed at apex.

Measurements (paratype male in microns). Distended body length about 1500. Head length 168, width across cheeks 158. Pronotum length 105, width 183. Fore wing length 580. Tube length about 90, width across base 47. Antenna length about 330, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 54 (30), 55 (28), 50 (23), 43 (22), 35 (21), 22 (12). Postocular setae 30–32. S1 setae on tergite IX 45 –50, S2 setae on tergite IX 35. Anal setae about 130.

Specimens examined. Holotype female macroptera: Indonesia, Flores Is., Ende, Wolosoko, 22.viii.2006 (SO).

Paratypes: Indonesia, Flores Is., 1 female, collected with holotype; 2 females, Ende, Komandaru, on dead branches, 23.viii.2006 (SO); 4 females and 1 male, Ngada, Bajawa, Donatana, on dead branches, 29.viii.2006 (SO).

Remarks. This species belongs to the amabilis group, and is somewhat similar to bali , described above. However, bali has yellowish fore femora and clear yellow antennal segment III, whereas floresi has dark brown fore femora and shaded antennal segment III.

Figures

FIGURES 45 – 49. Azaleothrips floresi sp. n. female. (45) head; (46) pronotum; (47) mouth cone and basantra; (48) antennal segments III & IV; (49) meso & metanotum.