Liothrips vaneeckei Priesner, 2011

Mound, Laurence A., Dang, Lihong & Tree, Desley J., 2023, The genus Liothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) in Australia, Zootaxa 5306 (2), pp. 201-214 : 212

Liothrips vaneeckei Priesner

( Figs 6 , 16 , 25 , 35, 37 )

Liothrips vaneeckei Priesner, 1920: 2011

Described originally from Europe in a glasshouse in the Netherlands, the Lily Thrips has apparently been widely distributed around the world by the commercial trade in lily bulbs. Okajima (2006) recorded the species from Honshu, Japan, and provided a detailed illustrated description of the species. It is one of the species with maxillary stylets deeply retracted and close together medially in the head ( Fig. 6 ). Antennal segment IV is shorter than in many Liothrips species of similar body size and segment VIII is slightly longer, with VI and VII both constricted basally to a narrow neck ( Fig. 16 ). The metanotal reticulation is narrow, almost producing striation ( Fig. 25 ), and the pelta is recessed into the second abdominal tergite ( Fig. 35 ).

Hodson (1935) gave a detailed account of the life history of vaneeckei , recording substantial aggregations under the scales of commercial lily bulbs, and indicating a possibility that the species may have originated on a native Lilium species around Oregon in northwestern USA. Bailey (1939) reviewed the available information on distributions and the range of Lilium species on which the species had been found, including several orchid species. In Australia, it was first recorded by Malipatil et al. (2002) who also provided further references to published information on biology. However, because this insect lives below ground it is rarely found except on cultivated plants, and as a result there is no information on the potential host range away from commercial plantings. The adults listed below suggest that this species is widespread in eastern Australia, presumably living on the subterranean parts of native Australian plants, and that it has been here for many years. This is the first indication that this thrips may have a wider host range away from cultivated plants.

Specimens studied. AUSTRALIA, Victoria, Warragul , 2 females, 1 male with larvae from Asiatic Lilium bulb, 2.v.2001 (D. Bruce), in ANIC , also 6 females, with identical data in QDPC . New South Wales, Budderoo National Park, Carrington Falls , 3 females in Malaise Trap, i.2022 . Tasmania, Lake St Claire Rd , 2004 (in ANIC) . Queensland, Toowoomba, 2 females, 2 males from lily bulbs in supermarket, 7.iv.2001; Brisbane Forest Park, 1 female from bark spray on Acacia melanoxylon , 25.xi.2008; Bunja Mts , 1 female in Malaise Trap , 24.iv.1986; Bribie Island , 1 female in Malaise Trap, 24.x.2010, in QDPC . ENGLAND, Sheffield, 1 female from Paphiopedilum , ii.1992, 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.