Liothrips Uzel, 1895

Dang, Lihong, An, Yiyan, Mound, Laurence A. & Qiao, Gexia, 2024, Leaf-feeding species of the genus Liothrips from China (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae), Zootaxa 5419 (1), pp. 53-84 : 59-61

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5419.1.2
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:23F0CA38-AA36-4B65-9D76-E798882ED1EF
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10793935
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/715E87B3-FFF8-FFAF-FF0C-FA7AFA74D0B8
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Liothrips Uzel
status

Treatment

Liothrips Uzel View in CoL

Liothrips Uzel, 1895: 261 View in CoL . Type species Phloeothrips setinodis Reuter View in CoL , by subsequent designation of Hood, 1918: 131.

The earliest species of Liothrips View in CoL recorded from China (Taiwan) were malloti View in CoL , malloti var. flavicornis View in CoL and terminaliae by Moulton (1928a), of which the first two are now treated as synonyms of L. brevitubus View in CoL , and the third has been transferred to Liophloeothrips ( Priesner 1968) ( Wang & Lin 2020) View in CoL . Additionally, Moulton (1928a; 1928b) described several species in Gynaikothrips View in CoL from Taiwan, of which three are now placed in Liothrips View in CoL , L. kuwayamai View in CoL , L. takahashii View in CoL and L. kuwanai View in CoL , of which the latter was synonymised with L. pallipes View in CoL by Mound (2020). Zhang studied thrips specimens collected from southern China, among which five valid species of Liothrips View in CoL were recorded ( Zhang 1984; Zhang et al. 1999). Finally, Han focused on southwest part of China, and described seven valid species ( Han 1988, 1993, 1997a, 1997b). After that, no one tried to review this large genus across China, until 2020, when 12 species were recorded from Taiwan including two new species ( Wang & Lin 2020). Based on the above studies, we here try to clarify the diversity of this genus in China including 33 species in total, of which five are known only from Taiwan (Table S1).

Generic diagnosis: Medium sized, usually dark and macropterous. Antennae 8-segmented, VIII much shorter than VII ( Figs 31–40 View FIGURES 22–41 ), and broad at base, III–IV with one and three major sense cones respectively ( Figs 22–30, 41 View FIGURES 22–41 ), IV rarely with two. Head length various, ranged from broader than long to about twice as long as wide ( Figs 1–13 View FIGURES 1–8 View FIGURES 9–14 , 15–21 View FIGURES 15–21 ); usually transversely striate or weakly reticulate; usually with one pair of long postocular setae (rarely 2 or 0); eyes well-developed; maxillary stylets retracted halfway to postocular setae or eyes, close together or wide apart. Pronotum usually with 5 pairs of major setae ( Figs 42–46 View FIGURES 42–46 , 49–52 View FIGURES 47–52 ), sometimes am or aa or pa reduced ( Figs 47, 48 View FIGURES 47–52 ), rarely only epim developed, notopleural sutures complete; basantra absent, ferna large, mesopresternum transverse or divided into two triangles ( Figs 53–58 View FIGURES 53–60 , 61–68 View FIGURES 61–68 ); metathoracic sternopleural sutures usually well developed ( Figs 66–68 View FIGURES 61–68 ), rarely absent. Fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes; fore wings not constricted medially, usually with many duplicated cilia. Pelta triangular ( Figs 69–87 View FIGURES 69–79 View FIGURES 80–88 ), tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; IX with setae S1 and S2 usually long and pointed ( Figs 97–102 View FIGURES 97–102 ); tube usually shorter than head, anal setae usually as long as tube or shorter. Male sternite VIII usually with large pore plate ( Figs 91, 94–96 View FIGURES 89–96 ), rarely small or absent, sometimes tergite VIII with a pair of pore plate as well ( Figs 92, 93 View FIGURES 89–96 ).

Key to Liothrips species of China

(* indicates species not seen; L. hsuae is excluded; L. mirabilis is included due to its pest potential of Piper plants grown throughout southern China.)

1. All legs brown ( Fig. 60 View FIGURES 53–60 ), sometimes paler at fore tibiae apices and tarsi.......................................... 2

-. At least all tarsi yellow ( Fig. 59 View FIGURES 53–60 )......................................................................... 3

2. Postocular setae short, just reaching posterior margin of eyes ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 1–8 ); metanotum with longitudinal reticulation ( Fig. 76 View FIGURES 69–79 ); antennal segments VII and VIII broadly joined ( Fig. 35 View FIGURES 22–41 ); major setae blunt at apices (on leaves of Picea sp. ).... piceae sp. n.

-. Postocular setae about as long as or longer than eyes; metanotum with polygonal reticulation ( Fig. 75 View FIGURES 69–79 ); antennal segment VIII constricted at base; major setae with expanded apices (on leaves of Litsea glutinosa View in CoL )......................... floridensis View in CoL

3. All tibiae uniformly yellow............................................................................. 4

-. Mid and hind tibia at least more or less shaded.............................................................. 7

4. Postocular setae minute, not longer than other discal head setae (on Styrax sp. )............................ styracinus View in CoL *

-. Postocular setae much longer than other discal head setae..................................................... 5

5. Pronotal pa setae minute ( Fig. 48 View FIGURES 47–52 ); metanotum finely reticulate ( Fig. 73 View FIGURES 69–79 ); tergite IX setae S1 short and blunt, about half length of S2 ( Fig. 99 View FIGURES 97–102 )........................................................................... motuoensis sp. n.

-. Pronotal pa well developed, about as long as epim setae; metanotum closely striate; S1 on tergite IX acute, about as long as S2................................................................................................. 6

6. All major setae expanded or blunt at apex; postocular setae much shorter than eyes; tergite IX S1 setae shorter than tube; antennal segment III slender, about 4.0 times as long as wide ( Fig. 27 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (in leaf gall of Piper spp. )................. pallipes View in CoL

-. All major setae acute at apex ( Fig. 43 View FIGURES 42–46 ); postocular setae slightly shorter than eyes ( Fig. 10 View FIGURES 9–14 ); tergite IX S1 setae longer than tube; antennal segment III slender, about 2.3 times as long as wide ( Fig. 41 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (on Pavetha hispida and in rolled leaf margins of pepper plant)......................................................................................... mirabilis View in CoL

7. Head short, as long as wide or shorter..................................................................... 8

-. Head longer than wide................................................................................ 11

8. Postocular setae small, much shorter than eyes, just reaching posterior margin of eyes ( Fig. 12 View FIGURES 9–14 ) [fore wings hyaline] (on leaves of Populus euphratica View in CoL )........................................................................ populi sp. n.

-. Postocular setae well developed, a little shorter than eyes or longer.............................................. 9

9. Metanotum closely striate ( Fig. 71 View FIGURES 69–79 ); antennal segments III–VI uniformly yellow ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 22–41 )................... brevis sp. n.

-. Metanotum longitudinally reticulate; antennal segments IV–VI more or less shaded brown.......................... 10

10. Fore wing hyaline; postocular setae much longer than eyes ( Fig. 11 View FIGURES 9–14 ) (on leaves of Adinandra millettii View in CoL )..... longistylus sp. n.

-. Fore wing shaded brown; postocular setae a little shorter than eyes (on leaves of Symplocos laurina View in CoL )............. aporosae View in CoL

11. Proscutum eroded laterally, midlateral setae arising on the area of chitinous islets, pa minute [metanotum closely striate ( Fig. 70 View FIGURES 69–79 )] (on leaves of Tsuga chinensis View in CoL )............................................................. bournierorum View in CoL

-. Proscutum fully transverse bearing midlateral setae laterally, pa setae elongate.................................... 12

12. Front part of pronotum ( Fig. 50 View FIGURES 47–52 ), metanotum ( Fig. 84 View FIGURES 80–88 ) and lateral parts of tergites II–VII distinctly reticulate [Antennal segments III–VI uniformly yellow, VII–VIII brown ( Fig. 39 View FIGURES 22–41 ); mid and hind tibiae uniformly brown; S1 on tergite IX blunt, shorter than S2 ( Fig. 101 View FIGURES 97–102 )]............................................................................. tibetanus sp. n.

-. No reticulation on lateral parts at least of tergites II–VII...................................................... 13

13. Fore tibiae more or less shaded, at least basally or exteriorly.................................................. 14

-. Fore tibiae clear yellow............................................................................... 24

14. Tergite II close to lateral margin with irregular row of 9–12 discal setae......................................... 15

-. Tergite II close to lateral margin with irregular row of 4–7 discal setae.......................................... 16

15. Head twice as long as wide ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 1–8 ); antennal segment III about 5 times as long as wide ( Fig. 31 View FIGURES 22–41 ); postocular setae scarcely reaching posterior margin of eyes ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 1–8 ); pronotal setae am and aa small ( Fig. 45 View FIGURES 42–46 ), sometimes well-developed in male (on leaves of Ficus tikoua View in CoL )..................................................................... elongatus View in CoL sp. n.

-. Head 1.4 times as long as wide ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 15–21 ); antennal segment III about 3 times as long as wide; postocular setae extending wellbeyond posterior margin of eyes ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 15–21 ); pronotum with strong and dark major setae, am and aa usually developed................................................................................................... takahashii View in CoL

16. Postocular setae far from eyes, located dorsally in middle of head ( Fig. 8 View FIGURES 1–8 ); pronotal setae am minute, much shorter than ml ( Fig. 46 View FIGURES 42–46 )................................................................................................ 17

-. Postocular setae close to eyes; pronotal am and aa well developed, sometimes reduced............................. 18

17. Mid and hind tibiae brown in basal half, yellow in apical half; pronotal aa setae as minute as am ( Fig. 46 View FIGURES 42–46 ) (on Globba racemosa View in CoL )................................................................................... mohanrami View in CoL

-. Mid and hind tibiae uniformly brown; pronotal aa setae much longer than am (on Liquidambar sp. )........... threobrevis *

18. Fore wings hyaline................................................................................... 19

-. Fore wing shaded brown or grey, at least with a dark stripe................................................... 20

19. Mesopresternum reduced to two lateral triangles; antennal segment III yellow, IV–VI yellow with shaded apices ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (on Gnetum spp. )................................................................................ adusticornis View in CoL

-. Mesopresternum boat-shaped with median protrusion; antennal segments III–VI uniformly yellow, sometimes VI shaded at apices (on Viburnum sp. )...................................................................... kuwayamai View in CoL *

20. Antennal segments III–VII yellow except VII brownish at apex, VIII brown; mid and hind tibiae uniformly dark brown... 21

-. Antennal segments VII–VIII brown; apical 1/6–1/3 of mid and hind tibiae yellow................................. 22

21. Postocular setae shorter than eyes; antennal segments III–IV slender and elongate, III longer than IV ( Fig. 24 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (in leaf galls of Fagraea obovata View in CoL )............................................................................... fagraeae View in CoL

-. Postocular setae longer than eyes; antennal segments III–VII short, III slightly shorter than IV (on Mallotus sp. )... brevitubus View in CoL

22. Metanotum sculptured with hexagonal reticles medially............................................. dayulingensis View in CoL *

-. Metanotum sculptured with narrow reticulation or longitudinal stripes medially................................... 23

23. Postocular setae blunt or expanded at apex ( Fig. 7 View FIGURES 1–8 ); antennal segments slender, III about 3.0 times as long as wide, IV about 2.2 times as long as wide, sense cones on III–IV as long as or a little longer than width of their segments ( Fig. 37 View FIGURES 22–41 ); metanotum with narrow reticulate sculpture ( Fig. 83 View FIGURES 80–88 ); anal setae shorter than tube (on Gentiana scabra View in CoL )................... miyazakii View in CoL

-. Postocular setae acute at apex ( Fig. 18 View FIGURES 15–21 ); antennal segments short and broad, III about 2.0 times as long as wide or a little longer, IV about 1.5 times as long as wide ( Fig. 40 View FIGURES 22–41 ), sense cones on III–IV no longer than width of their segments; metanotum sculptured with complete and dense longitudinal stripes medially but at anterior angles scarcely narrowly reticulate ( Fig. 85 View FIGURES 80–88 ); anal setae about as long as tube (on lily bulbs)....................................................... vaneeckei View in CoL

24. Pelta with no CPS, with or without small setae posterolaterally................................................ 25

-. Pelta with a pair of CPS, sometimes with a minute seta close to the CPS......................................... 26

25. Pelta with 3–4 small setae posterolaterally ( Fig. 72 View FIGURES 69–79 ); antennal segments IV–VI uniformly yellow, VII–VIII brown ( Fig. 36 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (on leaves of Schefflera heptaphylla View in CoL )............................................................. heptapleuricola View in CoL

-. Pelta without any small setae; antennal segments IV–VIII yellow, sometimes VIII slightly shaded (on Vitex sp. ).... vitivorus View in CoL *

26. Head short, no more than 1.3 times as long as wide; antennal segment III no more than 3 times as long as wide.......... 27

-. Head elongate, more than 1.5 times as long as wide; antennal segment III more than 3 times as long as wide............ 28

27. Antennal segments III–VIII uniformly yellow except VIII slightly shaded ( Fig. 26 View FIGURES 22–41 ); postocular setae shorter than eyes; fore wings hyaline (in leaf gall of Jasminum grandiflorum View in CoL ).................................................... minys View in CoL

-. Antenna segments IV–V shaded at apex, VI brown with pale at base, VII–VIII uniformly brown ( Fig. 34 View FIGURES 22–41 ); postocular setae as long as eyes ( Fig. 19 View FIGURES 15–21 ); fore wings more or less shaded brown, with a longitudinal brown stripe (on leaves of Periploca sepium View in CoL )....................................................................................... wasabiae View in CoL

28. Sense cones on antennal segments III–IV short, shorter than width of this segment; metanotum longitudinally reticulate... 29

-. Sense cones on antennal segments III–IV elongate, longer than width of this segment; metanotum closely striate......... 30

29. Mid and hind tibiae yellow at apical and basal 1/5.................................................... bomiensis View in CoL

-. Mid and hind tibiae uniformly dark brown (on leaves of Heptapleurum sp. )............................ heptapleurinus View in CoL *

30. Sense cones on antennal segments III–IV elongate, longer than half the length of this segment ( Fig. 28 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (in leaf galls of Smilax glaucochina )................................................................................... piperinus View in CoL

-. Sense cones on antennal segments III–IV shorter than half the length of this segment.............................. 31

31. Pronotal am and aa minute, sometimes aa a little longer but much smaller than ml ( Fig. 47 View FIGURES 47–52 ) (on leaves of Viburnum sieboldii View in CoL )................................................................................................ hagai View in CoL

-. Pronotal am and aa setae well developed ( Fig. 49 View FIGURES 47–52 ).......................................................... 32

32. Metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; sense cones on antennal segments III–IV moderately long, about 1/2 times as long as this segment ( Fig. 33 View FIGURES 22–41 ) (on leaves of Rohdea japonica View in CoL )................................................. rohdeae View in CoL

-. Metathoracic sternopleural sutures present; sense cones on antennal segments III–IV short, about 1/3 times as long as this segment ( Fig. 30 View FIGURES 22–41 )............................................................................... setinodis View in CoL