Azaleothrips templeri, 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 : 342-344

Azaleothrips templeri sp.n.

( Figs 147–152 )

Female macroptera. Body brown; prothorax yellowish brown, distinctly paler than head; posterior 1/2 of metathorax and pelta paler; intermediate abdominal segments more or less yellowish medially, each with an indistinct small median marking at just behind of antecostal suture, segments VIII and IX slightly paler than segment VII. Antennal segment III yellowish, shaded with pale brown at anterior 2/3, basal neck of segment IV yellowish. Fore coxae yellowish brown, concolorous with prothorax, or a little darker; fore femora yellow at basal 1/2, shaded with pale brown at apical 1/2; mid and hind femora brown with bases and apices yellow; tibiae weakly shaded with brown medially. Fore wing weakly shaded, paler at basal 1/4 and median constriction.

Head ( Fig. 147 ) almost as long as wide; dorsal surface generally reticulate, almost smooth or with very weak wrinkles among reticles, not tuberculate. Antennal segments VII and VIII not closely joined ( Fig. 148 ); segments VII + VIII longer than segment III; segment IV almost as long as segment III; segment III with three (1 + 2), segment IV with four sensoria. Pronotum ( Fig. 149 ) distinctly sculptured with lines of reticulation, almost smooth among reticles, not tuberculate, with 22 short setae in holotype. Basantra absent. Mesonotum ( Fig. 150 ) with small tubercles along transverse rericles, almost smooth among reticles. Metanotum ( Fig. 150 ) longitudinally reticulate at anterior 1/2, with polygonal reticulations at posterior 1/2; anterior half with 4 short setae. Fore tarsus with a tooth ( Fig. 151 ). Fore wing with 5/7 duplicated cilia in holotype. Pelta very weakly reticulate. S1 setae on abdominal tergite IX a little longer than half the length of tube; S2 setae on tergite IX expanded at apex. Tube about two-thirds the length of head. Anal setae almost as long as tube, or a little longer.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Distended body length 1660. Head length 169, width across cheeks 175. Pronotum length 117, width 205. Fore wing length about 650. Tube length 112, width across base 47. Antenna length about 330, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 51 (30), 52 (27), 49 (25), 46 (22), 32 (20), 25 (12). Postocular setae?. S1 setae on tergite IX 62, S2 setae on tergite IX 73 –74. Anal setae 115.

Male macroptera. Color very similar to female. Prothorax and fore coxae yellow; intermediate abdominal segments paler, abdominal segment IX brown, yellowish at anterior 1/3. Head a little longer than wide. Pore plate on abdominal sternite VIII distinct, widely developed. S2 setae on abdominal tergite IX blunt, or nearly pointed at apex.

Measurements (paratype male in microns). Distended body length 1550. Head length 175, width across cheeks 140. Pronotum length 113, width 195. Fore wing length about 580. Tube length 93, width across base 45. Antenna length about 330, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 50 (27), 50 (27), 47 (22), 42 (23), 32 (20), 21 (12). Postocular setae about 30. S1 setae on tergite IX about 50, S2 setae on tergite IX 36 –37. Anal setae 107.

Specimens examined. Holotype female macroptera: West Malaysia, about 20km N from Kuala Lumpur, Templer Park, on dead leaves, 15.viii.1990 (TN & SO).

Paratypes: West Malaysia, 1 female, collected with holotype; same locality as holotype, 2 males, on dead branches, 11.viii.1990, 1 female and 1 male, on dead leaves, 13.viii.1990 (TN & SO).

Remarks. This species belongs to the amabilis group, and is very similar to toshifumii , described below, and lepidus in having yellowish prothorax. However, it can easily be distinguished from them by the polygonally reticulate metanotum.

Figures

FIGURES 141 – 152. Azaleothrips species. taiwanus sp. n. female 141 – 146: (141) head; (142) antennal segments VII & VIII; (143) pronotum; (144) meso & metanotum; (145) right fore leg; (146) tergite II. templeri sp. n. female 147 – 152: (147) head; (148) antennal segments VII & VIII; (149) pronotum; (150) meso & metanotum; (151) right fore leg; (152) tergite II.