Ectopsocus graminus, Schmidt & New, 2008

Schmidt, Evan R. & New, Timothy R., 2008, The Psocoptera (Insecta) of Tasmania, Australia, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 65, pp. 71-152 : 108

Ectopsocus graminus sp. nov.

Figures 112–16

Material examined. Holotype: Tasmania, Jackeys Marsh (east), Carex appressa , 12 Nov 1986. Four and 4 paratypes: same data as holotype. Additional record: 1, South Arm Recreation Area , tussock grasses, 18 July 1986.

Description of male. Coloration (after ca 7 years in alcohol). Buff. Head with vague suggestions of darker markings dorsal to eyes, and on each side of pale median epicranial suture. Eyes black. Thoracic pleura brownish, markings extending from this posteriorly as brown flecks on lateral margins of abdominal terga.

Morphology. IO:D = 4.25. Ocelli absent. Distal margin of labrum with 5 sensilla. Distinct row of 6 trichoid sensilla, 4 median in line and each lateral slightly posteriorly on anterior margin of outer surface of labrum. Epistomal suture present, clypeal shelf absent. Lacinia apically bifid, lateral projection apically bidentate and larger than median projection. Two basal flagellar segments with strong spinous setae on outer margin, 5 on f 1 and 3 on f 2. Distribution of placoids as follows: 1 third from base on f 1, 1 at apices of f 1, f 4, f 6 and f 10; those on f 6 and f 10 possessing a long slender hyaline filament. Fore wings as small setose rudimentary flaps. Hind wings absent. Epiproct (fig. 112) bearing 3 small setae and 1 large seta apically, preapically a row of 4 large setae. Paraproct (fig. 112) with 1–2 trichobothria, posterior margin bearing a pair of spines and associated seta. Ninth tergite (fig. 112) with apical comb of long rounded teeth, setose. Apex of eighth tergite and lateral margins of ninth sternite lacking ornamentation. Hypandrium with transverse apical margin, setose. Phallosome (fig. 113) with unusual long sinuous sclerite.

Dimensions. B 1.7, FW 0.16, F 0.403, T 0.521, t 1 0.142, t

2

0.087, rt 1.6:1, ct 0,0, f 1 0.348, f 2 0.190.

Description of female. Coloration (after ca 7 years in alcohol). As male.

Morphology. IO:D = 4.0. Two basal flagellar segments with a single long seta at apex. Features of head and wings as male. Epiproct (fig. 114). Paraproct (fig. 114) with 1–2 trichobothria, posterior margin bearing pair of spines and associated seta. Subgenital plate (fig. 115) bearing 2–3 setae on each lobe, apical margin between lobes spiculate, preapical row of setae including a pair of large setae (one absent in preparation). Gonapophyses (fig. 116). Spermathecal plate (fig. 116) with circular sclerotisation.

Dimensions. B 1.8, FW 0.17, F 0.38, T 0.49, t 1 0.118, t

2

0.087, rt 1.4:1, ct 0,0, f

1

0.269, f

2

0.150.

Remarks. By possessing a long sinuous sclerite the phallosome of this species resembles that of Ectopsocus vilhenai Badonnel , found in Africa, Madagascar, Central America and Venezuela. E. vilhenai differs in the following features from E. graminus : an elongated penial frame, the fused inner parameres with two lateral rounded lobes, the eighth tergite with characteristic ornamentation, and macroptery. Females of the two species also differ in details of genitalia, particularly in the shape of the subgenital plate apical lobes and in differences of the valves of the gonapophyses. Males possessing spinous setae on the two basal flagellar segments of the antenna were hitherto only known in Mascaropsocus spinosus Badonnel and Pearman (1971: 859 , fig. 1), known only from the Mascarene Is.

Etymology. In reference to the low grassy habitat of this species.

Figures

Figures 108-116. (108-111) Ectopsocus coyae. Female: 108, fore wing and hind wing; 109, epiproct and paraproct; 110, subgenital plate; 111, gonapophyses. Figures 108, 109 and 111 to common scale. (112-116) Ectopsocus graminus. Male: 112, epiproct, paraproct and ninth tergite; 113, phallosome. Female: 114, epiproct and paraproct; 115, subgenital plate; 116, gonapophyses. Figures 112, 115 and 116 to common scale.