Phaulothrips fuscus Moulton

Mound, Laurence A. & Tree, Desley J., 2013, Australian spore-feeding thrips of the genus Phaulothrips (Thysanoptera, Idolothripinae), Zootaxa 3608 (4), pp. 239-252 : 247

Phaulothrips fuscus Moulton

Phaulothrips fuscus Moulton, 1935: 100

Cladothrips punctatus Rayment, 1948: 257 . Synonymised by Mound, 1971: 420

This species ( Fig. 22 ) is similar in structure to vuilleti , but has the pre-ocellar setae more slender, and the tube relatively longer and almost parallel sided. Measurements of the head and tube are identical in the fuscus holotype and a syntype female of punctatus ; 730 and 580 microns, with the ratio 0.8. In contrast, the male syntype of punctatus has these measurements 700 and 500 microns (ratio 0.71). In the series listed below from near Bungonia the ratio of tube length to head length ranges from 0.77 to 0.82. Based on these measurements, fuscus is here interpreted as a species that is widespread across Australia, although it may yet prove to be the same species as longitubus (qv). These are distinguished from each other only on rather weak character states, including rather more slender lateral wings to the pelta in fuscus .

Specimens examined. Holotype female, Western Australia, Bridgetown, 15.xi.1927 (in CAS); 60km northeast of Narrogin, 1 female by insecticide fogging of Eucalyptus , x.2006; Broome, 1 male from “pindan” (? Acacia tumida ), 3.viii.1997. New South Wales, Sydney, Lane Cove, syntypes of punctatus (labeled maculosus) in Hylaeus sp. cells, 10.xi.1946; Bungonia 25km south, 7 females 2 males from dead Eucalyptus , 4 females 2 males from dead Acacia branches, 1 female from dead wood, 3 females from dead Casuarina branches, 4.vi.2011.

Figures

FIGURES 21 – 29. Australian species (females) of Phaulothrips. (21) daguilaris; (22) fuscus; (23) inquilinus; (24) kranzae; (25) oakeyi; (26) uptoni; (27) vuilleti; (28) vuilleti, tube; (29) daguilaris, tube.