Liothrips aporosae (Tong et al.), 2024

Dang, Lihong, An, Yiyan, Mound, Laurence A. & Qiao, Gexia, 2024, Leaf-feeding species of the genus Liothrips from China (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae), Zootaxa 5419 (1), pp. 53-84 : 63

Liothrips aporosae (Tong et al.) comb.n

( Figs 53 , 96 )

Psephenothrips aporosae Tong, Lau & Zhao, 2021: 292 .

This species was described from Hainan and Hong Kong, China, taken from galls on Aporosa octandra . Due to its long maxillary stylets, that are close together in the head, and the presence of five pairs of rather small pronotal major setae with knobbed apices, this species was associated initially with Psephenothrips . Members of that genus, however, are characterized by the following features: (1) antennal segment VIII elongate and constricted at base, (2) mesopresternum transverse and protruding medially, (3) metanotum sculptured with polygonal reticulation and (4) sternite VIII in males without a pore plate. In contrast, this species has the following character states: (1) antennal segment VIII short and broadly joined to VII, (2) mesopresternum eroded medially and (3) metanotum sculptured with longitudinal reticulation ( Fig. 53 ). Moreover, (4) the males from Guangdong listed below have a large pore plate as in males of Liothrips ( Fig. 96 ). Furthermore, three of the new species described in this study have a very short head similar to L. aporosae and they all have typical characters states of Liothrips ( L. populi sp. n., L. brevis sp. n. and L. longistylus sp. n.). Therefore, aporosae is placed here as a new combination in Liothrips .

Specimens studied. CHINA, Hainan, 1 female, 7.iv.1958, Xiangling Meng ( NZMC) ; Guangdong, Guangzhou , 2 males on Symplocos laurina , 14.v.1958, Xiangling Meng ( NZMC) .

Figures

FIGURES 53–60. Liothrips species. Mesopresternum (53–58): (53) aporosae; (54) elongatus sp. n.; (55) mohanrami; (56) brevis sp. n.; (57) longistylus sp. n.; (58) setinodis. Hind tibiae and tarsi (59–60): (59) elongatus sp. n.; (60) piceae sp. n.

FIGURES 89–96. Liothrips species. (89) hagai, tergite II; (90) takahashii, tergite II; (91) takahashii, pore plate on sternite VIII; (92) takahashii, pore plates on tergite VIII; (93) mohanrami, pore plates on tergite VIII; (94) populi sp. n., pore plate on sternite VIII; (95) elongatus sp. n., pore plate on sternite VIII; (96) aporosae, pore plate on sternite VIII.