Azaleothrips dentatus, Okajima, Shûji & Masumoto, Masami, 2014

Okajima, Shûji & Masumoto, Masami, 2014, Species-richness in the Oriental fungus-feeding thrips of the genus Azaleothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), Zootaxa 3846 (3), pp. 301-347 : 314-316

Azaleothrips dentatus sp.n.

( Figs 28–36 )

Female macroptera. Body brown to dark brown. Antennal segment III paler than the remaining segments, basal 1/ 2 yellowish; basal 1/3 of segment IV yellowish. All femora concolorous with body, extreme apices yellowish; all tibiae and tarsi yellow. Fore wing weakly shaded with brown, basal 1/4 and median constriction paler.

Head ( Fig. 28 ) a little longer than wide, about 1.1 times as long as wide; dorsal surface not heavy, weakly sculptured with lines of reticles, but almost smooth anteromedially. Cheeks rather straight. Antennal segment VIII distinct from segment VII ( Fig. 29 ), slightly constricted at base, comparatively slender, 2.8 times as long as wide in holotype; segment IV slender and longer than segment III; segment III with three (1 + 2), segment IV with four (2 + 2) sensoria. Postocular setae well developed, much longer than half the length of compound eye. Mouth cone long, reaching mesopraesternum. Pronotum ( Fig. 30 ) reticulate with lines marginally, not tuberculate, with stout median longitudinal groove, with 19 short setae in holotype; usual prominent setae well developed. Basantra absent. Mesonotum ( Fig. 31 ) reticulate, without tubercles or dentate microtrichia along reticles, smooth among reticles. Metanotum ( Fig. 31 ) longitudinally reticulate or striate, with very weak inner marking among reticles or striae at posterior half; anterior half with 3 to 5 short setae (5 setae in holotype). Fore tarsus with a stout tooth; fore tibia with an inner tubercle or tooth at apex ( Fig. 32 ). Fore wing with 10/10 duplicated cilia in holotype. Pelta distinctly reticulate. S1 setae on abdominal tergite IX longer than half the length of tube; S2 setae expanded at apex, almost as long as S1, or a little longer. Tube about two-thirds the length of head. Anal setae longer than tube.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Distended body length 2250. Head length 208, width across cheeks 185. Pronotum length 150, width 240. Fore wing length about 820. Tube length 133, width across base 59. Antenna length about 450, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 65 (35), 71 (32), 63 (27), 60 (25), 43 (22), 35 (12). Postocular setae about 50. Pronotal setae: anteroangulars 65, anteromarginals 40, midlaterals 50, epimerals 60, posteroangulars 50. S1 setae on tergite IX about 80, S2 setae on tergite IX 80 –85. Anal setae 160.

Male macroptera. Color and structure very similar to female. Fore tibia without tubercle or tooth at apex in small male ( Fig. 35 ), with an inner blunt but stout tubercle at apex in large male ( Fig. 34 ). Fore wing with 8–11 duplicated cilia. Pore plate on abdominal sternite VIII distinct ( Fig. 36 ). S2 setae on abdominal tergite IX short and sharply pointed.

Measurements (paratype small–large males in microns). Distended body length 1540–1850. Head length 165–193, width across cheeks 151–168. Pronotum length 105–155, width 190–237. Fore wing length 610–820. Tube length 104–128, width across base 50–57. Antenna length about 370–430, segments III–VIII length (width) as follows: 55–63 (30–32), 57–70 (30–31), 51–62 (25–25), 48–56 (22–24), 37–43 (20–20), 27–31 (12–12). Postocular setae 45–56. S1 setae on tergite IX 70 –92, S2 setae on tergite IX 36 –52. Anal setae 135–160.

Specimens examined. Holotype female macroptera: Indonesia, Central Celebes (=Sulawesi), near Rantepao, Pedamaran, alt about 1000m, on dead leaves and branches, 13.viii.1984 (SO).

Paratypes: Indonesia, 1 male, collected with holotype; data very similar to holotype, 1 male, 8.viii.1984, 1 female and 1 male, 9.viii.1984; 2 females, South Sulawesi, Karaenta Forest Res., Maros to Camba, alt. about 400m, on dead branches, 5.viii.1984 (SO).

Remarks. This species is quite distinctive within the genus in having not heavily sculptured head, long prominent setae, fore tarsal apical inner tooth or tubercles, simply reticulate mesonotum as described above. It may be an aberrant member of the amabilis group.

Figures

FIGURES 28 – 36. Azaleothrips dentatus sp. n. (28) head, female; (29) antennal segments VII & VIII, female; (30) pronotum, female; (31) meso & metanotum, female; (32) right fore leg, female; (33) tergite II, female; (34) right fore leg, large male; (35) ditto, small male; (36) sternite VIII, male.