Liothrips takahashii (Moulton)

Mound, Laurence A., Dang, Lihong & Tree, Desley J., 2023, The genus Liothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) in Australia, Zootaxa 5306 (2), pp. 201-214 : 209

Liothrips takahashii (Moulton)

( Figs 7 , 13 , 21 , 32 )

Gynaikothrips takahashii Moulton, 1928: 313

Described on specimens taken on Ficus retusa in Taiwan, three further species are listed as synonyms of takahashii (ThripsWiki 2023) taken in Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra. The species has also been recorded from southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Java and Taiwan by Okajima (2006), who also provided a full description and illustrations. The large number of discal setae in a row on the lateral margins of the second tergite ( Fig. 32 ) currently appears to be particularly unusual to this species. It is commonly found in small numbers as an invader of leaf galls induced by Gynaikothrips species on Ficus leaves. Presumably it has been introduced to the American continent by the horticultural trade in such plants.

Specimens studied. AUSTRALIA, Queensland, Cairns , 4 females, 4 males from leaf galls on Ficus microcarpa [ Moraceae ], 17.ix.2013, in QDPC (1 female in ANIC) . TAIWAN, Taichung, 5 females, 2 males from Ficus benjamina and microcarpa , viii.2013 , in ANIC (2 females, 3 males with same data in QDPC) ; Chiayi City, 1 female from Ficus microcarpa , 13.iii.2014 , in QDPC. The following specimens are all in QDPC: MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur, 2 males from Ficus benjamina , 25.viii.2013 , Selangor, Hulu Langat, 3 females from Ficus leaf gall, 6.viii.2012. SINGAPORE, 1 female from Ficus benjamina leaf gall, 11.ii.2016 . THAILAND, Chiang Rai, 1 female, 2 males from Ficus leaf gall, 04.iii.2015 . CHINA, Sichuan, Chengdu Botanic Gardens , 2 females from Ficus leaf galls, 10.viii.2012. USA, California, Long Beach , 1 male from Ficus ? nitida gall, 11.vii.2013. COSTA RICA, Heredia, 3 females from Ficus benjamina , 14.v.2014 (2 females with same data in ANIC) .

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Australian Liothrips heads. (1) burwelli; (2) chavicae; (3) pallipes; (4) timonii; (5) urichi; (6) vaneeckei; (7) takahashi; (8) umbratus. (9) Pronotum of umbratus.

FIGURES 10–16. Australian Liothrips antennae. (10) burwelli; (11) chavicae; (12) pallipes; (13) takahashi; (14) timonii; (15) umbratus; (16) vaneeckei.

FIGURES 17–25. Australian Liothrips. Metanotum: (17) chavicae; (18) chionanthes; (19) burwelli; (20) pallipes; (21) takahashi; (22) timonii (23) umbratus; (24) urichi; (25) vaneeckei.

FIGURES 26–40. Australian Liothrips. Prosternum 26–28: (26) burwelli; (27) pallipes; (28) timoni. (29) Pronotum of chionanthes. Pelta & tergite II 30–35: (30) burwelli; (31) chavicae; (32) takahashi; (33) timonii; (34) umbratus; (35) vaneeckei. Hind tibiae 36–40: (36) timoni; (37) vaneeckei; (38) chavicae; (39) urichi. (40) Holotype of L. brevifemur.