Sphingothrips Ananthakrishnan

Dang, Li-Hong, Mound, Laurence A. & Qiao, Ge-Xia, 2014, Conspectus of the Phlaeothripinae genera from China and Southeast Asia (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), Zootaxa 3807 (1), pp. 1-82 : 71

Sphingothrips Ananthakrishnan

( Fig. 83 )

Sphingothrips Ananthakrishnan, 1972: 115 . Type species: Dolerothrips trachypogon Karny , by monotypy.

Amphidoxothrips Reyes, 1994: 351 . Type species: Amphidoxothrips armatus Reyes , by monotypy. Synonymised by Bhatti, 2004: 132.

Only one species is recognized in this genus, based on a single male, as is the synonym indicated above. The shape of the head, strongly constricted to a basal neck, is similar to that of species of Mesothrips , but the cheeks bear stout setae on the basal third ( Fig. 83 ). However, the structure of the female remains unknown. Sphingothrips is a member of the Liothrips- lineage, with antennal segments III–IV bearing 1 and 3 sensoria respectively, and the prosternal basantra not developed.

Diagnosis: Head longer than wide, male with cheeks sharply constricted to basal neck ( Fig. 83 ), with several stout setae; eyes normal, postocular setae well-developed; stylets retracted to postocular setae, about one fifth of head width apart medially with maxillary bridge; antennae 8-segmented, III with 1 sensorium, IV with 3; pronotum with major setae developed, am small, notopleural sutures complete; basantra absent; mesopresternum transverse; sternopleural sutures absent; fore tarsal tooth present in male; fore wings parallel-sided, with duplicated cilia; pelta triangular; tergites II–VII with 2 pairs of wing-retaining setae; tube with straight sides, slightly shorter than head; male sternite VIII without pore plate.

Figures

FIGURES 80–83. Phlaeothripinae genera. Head & pronotum 80–83: (80) Ponticulothrips diospyrosi; (81) Praeciputhrips balli; (82) Rosingothrips ommatus; (83) Sphingothrips trachypogon.