Azaleothrips dorsalis, 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 : 316-318

Azaleothrips dorsalis sp.n.

( Figs 37–39 )

Female macroptera. Body brown, posterior half of metanotum and pelta yellowish; intermediate abdominal segments a little paler than head. Antennal segments I and II brown, segment II more or less yellowish at apex; segment III yellow; segment IV brown at middle, with basal 1/4 to 1/3 yellowish, with apical 1/4 paler; segment V pale brown at middle, with basal and apical 1/3 yellowish; segment VI pale brown, with basal half yellowish; segments VII and VIII brown. Fore femora brown, concolorous with head, yellowish at apex; mid femora yellow, often very weakly shaded with brown at middle of outer side; hind femora yellowish, shaded with brown at middle of outer side, very weakly shaded at apical half; all tibiae yellow, banded brown at middle. Fore wing very weakly shaded, with basal 1/4 paler.

Head ( Fig. 37 ) almost as long as wide; dorsal surface asperate, generally strongly reticulate, with small tubercles along reticles, with irregular small tubercles among reticles. Postocular setae shorter than half the length of compound eye. Antennal segments VII and VIII closely joined; segments VII + VIII a little longer than segment III; segment IV a little longer than segment III; segment III with three (1 + 2), segment IV with four sensoria. Pronotum ( Fig. 38 ) asperate, with numerous small tubercules, without lines of reticulation; usually with more than 25 short setae (29 setae in holotype). Epimeral suture complete or nearly complete. Basantra absent. Mesonotum ( Fig. 39 )) with transverse rows of small tubercles, without distinct lines of striation or reticulation, coarse among rows of tubercles. Metanotum ( Fig. 39 ) asperate, longitudinally but fragmentary striate at anterior half; anterior half usually with 4 to 6 short setae (5 setae in holotype). Fore tarsus usually unarmed, often with a small tooth. Fore wing with 7/8 duplicated cilia in holotype. Pelta weakly reticulate, smooth among reticles. Lateral portions of abdominal tergite II asperate, coarse with very small tubercles among dentate striation or reticulation; 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 longer than tube.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Distended body length 1725. Head length 180, width across cheeks 183. Pronotum length 117, width 209. Fore wing length about 650. Tube length 115, width across base 50. Antenna length about 340, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 50 (32), 52 (30), 50 (25), 43 (23), 33 (21), 17 (13). Postocular setae about 30. S1 setae on tergite IX 60 –63, S2 setae on tergite IX 80 –83. Anal setae 155–160.

Male macroptera. Color and structure very similar to female. Head a little longer than wide. Antennal segments VII + VIII almost as long as segment III, or a little longer. Fore tarsus with a small tooth. Fore wing with 6/9 duplicated cilia. Pore plate on abdominal sternite VIII distinct, but comparatively narrow. S2 setae on abdominal tergite IX pointed at apex.

Measurements (paratype male in microns). Distended body length about 1400. Head length 167, width across cheeks 160. Pronotum length 102, width 177. Fore wing length about 560. Tube length 90, width across base 44.

Antenna length 325, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 49 (28), 52 (30), 47 (25), 41 (22), 35 (20), 15 (13). Postocular setae 25. S1 setae on tergite IX 55 –57, S2 setae on tergite IX 45 –47. Anal setae 133.

Specimens examined. Holotype female macroptera: Indonesia, Flores Is., Ngada, Bajawa, Donatana, on dead branches, 29.viii.2006 (SO).

Paratypes: Indonesia, Flores Is., 14 females and 9 males, collected with holotype, 1 female, Ngada, Walomeli, 28.viii.2006 (SO).

Non-paratypic specimens: Indonesia, Bali Is., Buleleng, on dead branches, 1 female, Belatung, 16.viii.2006, 3 females, Melanting, 16 to 17.viii.2006 (SO).

Remarks. This species belongs to the amabilis group, and is distinctive within the genus in having the combination of character states as follows: head almost as long as wide, asperate; antennal segments VII and VIII closely joined; antennal segment V pale brown at middle, with basal and apical 1/3 yellowish, segment VI pale brown, with basal half yellowish; fore tarsi unarmed in female; lateral portions of abdominal tergite II asperate, coarse among dentate striation or reticulation.

Figures

FIGURES 37 – 44. Azaleothrips species. dorsalis sp. n. female 37 – 39: (37) head; (38) pronotum; (39) metanotum. flavicollis sp. n. female 40 – 44: (40) head; (41) pronotum; (42) meso & metanotum; (43) right fore leg; (44) tergite II.