Liothrips piperinus Priesner

(Figs 21, 28, 100)

Liothrips (Liothrips) piperinus Priesner, 1935: 361 .

Described by Priesner based on “females” from Taiwan, China, this species has also been recorded from Japan and Chinese mainland (Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan provinces) (Zhang 1984; Zhang et al. 1999; Okajima 2006). It is known to have unusually elongate sense cones on antennal segments III and IV that are about two thirds as long as their segments (Fig. 28), and the maxillary stylets are long and close together medially (Fig. 21). According to these characters, the specimens listed below from Kunming are identified as L. piperinus, but they have a few differences from the holotype female: setae S1 on tergite IX about 0.6 times as long as tube, also mid and hind tibiae yellow on apical 1/4–1/3 (in holotype, S1 on tergite IX about 0.8 time as long as tube (Fig. 100), and mid and hind tibiae yellow on apical one seventh). However, they are very similar to two specimens from Japan, showing various lengths of postocular setae. L. piperinus was described originally from a species of Piper but recorded on Elaeocarpus and Castanopsis by Okajima (2006), and as living in Ficus leaf-galls by Zhang (1984). In Yunnan, many specimens were found in leaf galls on Smilax glaucochina . This thrips is very possibly an invader of leaf galls induced by some Liothrips -lineage species on a range of different plants (Mound 2020).

Specimens studied. CHINA, Taiwan, Habon, Holotype female on Piper, 10.viii.1934, R. Takahashi (SMF); Kunming, 7 females and 6 males in leaf gall on Smilax glaucochina, 24.ix.2019, L.A. Mound (ANIC). JAPAN, Honshu, Shizuoka, one female and one male on Piper, 9.xi.1975, I. Kudo (SMF).