Liothrips heptapleurinus (Priesner)

(Figs 43–46)

Smerinthothrips heptapleurinus Priesner, 1935: 360–361 .

This species was collected by Takahashi at Taihoku, Taiwan, 23.xii.1926, from Heptapleurum (= Schefflera). Two syntypes were studied by Okajima (2006) who recorded this thrips from Japan, Ryukyu Islands, together with a full re-description. The following notes are based on that description.

Female macroptera. Body length 2.6 mm, dark brown, all femora dark brown, fore tibiae yellow to brownish yellow, mid- and hind tibiae dark brown, all tarsi yellowish brown; antennal segment I dark brown, II dark brown with antero-exterior half yellowish, remaining segments largely yellowish, very slightly shaded with brown at anterior half of segment VII and whole of VIII (Fig. 46); fore wings hyaline, with a faint greyish longitudinal stripe, reaching distal third; major body setae brownish, but tergum IX setae S1 and S2 somewhat paler.

Head about 1.5 times as long as wide (Fig. 43); po setae longer than eyes, narrowly blunt at apex; maxillary stylets retracted to level of po setae, rather close together. Pronotal am setae shorter than aa setae; mesopresternum connected medially (Fig. 44); metanotum sculptured with fine longitudinal striae or reticles; fore wing with 14–16 duplicated cilia. Pelta bell-shaped, with a pair of CPS (Fig. 45); tube conical, sides straight.