Aliceathrips palmeri, Mound, Laurence A., 2011

Mound, Laurence A., 2011, Grass-dependent Thysanoptera of the family Thripidae from Australia, Zootaxa 3064 (1), pp. 1-40 : 11

Aliceathrips palmeri sp.n.

( Figs 19–22 )

Female macroptera. Body and legs yellow, abdominal segment X and posterior third of IX dark brown; antennal segment I white, II–IV pale with II and apex of III and IV variably weakly shaded, V pale with apex light brown, VI–VIII brown; fore wings and major setae pale, but median dorsal setal pair on IX brown. With the character states in the generic diagnosis; antennae 8-segmented, III–IV with sensorium simple. Ocellar setae III 2.0 as long as an ocellus ( Fig. 19 ). Pronotal posteroangular setae longer than antennal segment III; prosternal ferna weakly continuous medially; metanotum with weak longitudinal sculpture ( Fig. 19 ); mesosternal anterior margin with about 12 setae; tergite IX median dorsal setae stout, arising on posterior third of tergite close to posterior setae ( Fig. 20 ), posterior pair I shorter than pair II; X with median split complete; sternite II with 0–3 discal setae, III–VII with 4–10 discal setae sometimes arranged irregularly.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Body length 1400. Head length 125; width across eyes 125; ocellar setae III 30. Pronotum, length 130; maximum width 160; pa inner setae 45; pa outer setae 45. Fore wing length 650. Metanotal median setae 20. Tergite IX median dorsal setae 60; marginal setae S1 100; S2 125. Tergite X setae S1 115. Antennal segments III–VIII length 40, 35, 35, 47, 8, 10.

Male macroptera. Smaller and paler than female; tergite IX with pair of long curved processes ( Fig. 21 ); sternites III–VII with transverse pore plate on antecostal area ( Fig. 22 ).

Material studied. Holotype female, Northern Territory, Alice Springs , from Panicum decompositarum lvs., 27.xi.2008 (Chris Palmer).

Paratypes: 13 females, 5 males taken with holotype; Queensland, Moura , 1 female from Cenchrus ciliaris , 20.i.1966; Dalby, Broadwater Lake , 1 female, 27.ii.2003; 45km south of Tambo , 3 females, 20.v.1999; 15km south of Charters Towers , 1 female, 1 male, 2.vii.1995; Emerald, 1 female, 29.x.2001. Western Australia, Kununnura , ii–iv. 2005.

Comments. The females of this species have the median dorsal setae on tergite IX stout, arising in a posterior position and extending well beyond the posterior margin of the tergite. The male has processes on the ninth tergite that are similar to those of A. mnestes , but the sternites bear pore plates. Two females have also been seen from Kununurra in the north of Western Australia that probably represent this species.

Figures

FIGURES 11 – 22. Aliceathrips spp. A. mnestes 11 – 16: (11 – 12) male tergites VIII – IX; (13) meso & metanota; (14) pronotum; (15) tergites VII – IX; (16) antenna. A. sorghi 17 – 18: (17) sternites V – VII; (18) male tergites VIII – IX. A. palmeri 19 – 22: (19) head & thorax; (20) tergites VIII – X; (21) male tergites VIII – IX; (22) male sternites V – VII.