Liothrips chavicae (Zimmermann)

(Figs 2, 11, 17, 31, 38)

Mesothrips chavicae Zimmerman, 1900: 14

Described from specimens found in a rolled leaf gall on Piper betle in Java, three further species are placed as synonyms of chavicae that were also taken in Java from leaf galls on different species of Piper (Mound 2020) . The species thus has a wide distribution in high rainfall areas from west Malaysia to almost as far south as Brisbane in Queensland. Antennal segments III–VI are almost clear yellow but VII is variable between samples from almost yellow (Fig. 11) to entirely brown, and the fore tibiae and all tarsi are yellow. The mid and hind tibiae are mainly brown but with the apical sixth or less yellow (Fig. 38), the fore wings are generally pale with a median longitudinal shaded line, and the major setae are dark brown. The metanotal reticles are narrow, almost forming longitudinal striae (Fig. 17) (see also Mound 2020).

Specimens studied. AUSTRALIA, Queensland, in Piper leaf galls, in QPDC: South Emmagen Creek, 3 females, 3 males, 8.x.2012 ; Cairns, Cathedral fig tree, 3 males, 3.x.2012 ; Flecker Botanic Gardens, 4 females, 11 male, 4.xi.2008 ; Josephine Falls, 2 females, 1 male, 2.x.2015 ; Witches Falls, Tamborine, 3 females, 2 males, 24.ix.2012 ; O’Reillys, 4 females, 10.x.2006 , 2 females, 12.iii.2007, 1 female, 23.ix.2012; Noosa, Tea Tree Bay, 6 females, 3 males from leaf roll on Piper novaehollandiae, 14.iv.2007 ; Cooloola Nat. Pk, 20 females, 2 males in leaves, 6.iv.1987 . SINGAPORE, Zoo, 5 females, 2 males, 25.ix.2007 , Sentosa, 3 females, 11.ii.2006 .

AUSTRALIA, Queensland, in Piper leaf galls, in ANIC: Cairns Botanic gardens, 8 females, 7 males, 4.xi.2008 ; Redlynch, Crystal Creek, 4 females 3 males from leaf roll on Piper hederacea, 5.xi.2008 ; O’Reilly’s 2 females, 1 male from leaf roll on Piper novaehollandiae, 10.x.2006 ; Babinda, The Boulders, 1 female, 2.x.2015 ; Noosa Hill, 4 females from Piper novaehollandiae, 27.ix.1998 . MALAYSIA, Bangi, UKM, 7 females, 3 males from Piper leaf galls, 8.xii.2017 . TIMOR LESTE, Aileu, office of U.S. Dept of Agriculture, 5 females from Piper sarmentosa, 22.viii.2018 .