Simulothrips banpoti Nonaka & Jangvitaya, 1994

(Figs 16–18)

Female macroptera. Body and legs largely yellow, ocellar area shaded, pronotum with shaded area sub-laterally; fore wing pale; antennal segments I–IV yellow, V–VIII brown (Fig. 17). Head about as long as wide, posterior area transversely striate; ocellar setae pair II longest, arising anterior to fore ocellus, pair III arising on tangent between posterior margins of hind ocelli (Fig. 16). Pronotum trapezoidal and with distinct transverse lines, as long as basal width; posteroangular and posteromarginal setae subequal (Fig 16). Fore tibia without apical spur on inner margin. Mesonotum without median campaniform sensilla. Metanotum with median setae arising far behind anterior margin (Fig. 18). Abdominal tergite VIII without posteromarginal comb of microtrichia.

Material studied. Malaysia, Selangor, Kajang. 1 female from Bambusa sp., 8.xii.2013 (Ng, Y.F.), 3 females from the same plant, 7.i.2014 (Ng, Y.F.), in CISUKM and ANIC.

Comments. This is the sole species in the genus Simulothrips . Previously it was known only from Thailand, and is here newly recorded from Malaysia. The genera Simulothrips, Paithrips and Okajimaella are closely related. They share many characters that suggest that they represent, together with Takethrips and Yoshinothrips known only from Thailand, a single radiation on Asian bamboo plants. The genus Simulothrip s is currently distinguished by its pronotum that is trapezoidal, bearing many fine transverse striae, and with the posteromarginal setae S2, S5 and S6 subequal in length.