Scirtothrips drepanofortis, Hoddle, Mark S. & Mound, Laurence A., 2003

Hoddle, Mark S. & Mound, Laurence A., 2003, The genus Scirtothrips in Australia (Insecta, Thysanoptera, Thripidae), Zootaxa 268, pp. 1-40 : 18-19

Scirtothrips drepanofortis sp. nov.

[ Figs 8 , 36 , 41 , 57]

Female macroptera. Colour: Light brown to medium brown, tergite IX darker; occipital ridge of head and posterior margin of pronotum dark, also antecostal ridge on tergites II­ VIII; forewings shaded with paler apex; antennae light brown, II darkest, I usually pale.

Structure: Antennal segments VII – VIII with suture often weakly developed. Vertex with closely spaced and transversely anastomosing striae, becoming irregular near posterior ocelli; ocellar region with no distinct lines of sculpture; ocellar setae pair III closer together than diameter of first ocellus, arising posterior to tangent joining anterior margins of posterior ocelli, but one of these setae commonly absent; two pairs of long post­ocular setae; mouth cone exceptionally long and acute, extending to mesosternum in slidemounted specimens. Pronotum with transverse striae regular and very closely spaced; usually 4 anteromarginal setae, 8­9 discal setae; 4 pairs of posteromarginal setae, S2 less than twice the length of S1, S3 subequal to S1. Metanotal reticulation almost equiangular anteriorly but narrowly longitudinal on posterior half, median setae posterior of margin. Forewing scale with 4 marginal setae; first vein setae 3­4+3­5+0­1+1+1+1; second vein 3­ 4 setae; at least some posterior fringe cilia weakly undulating rather than straight. Tergite I with pair of setae medially usually extending to posterior margin; tergites III­VII median setae short, distance between bases on V about 3 times the length of these setae; lateral microtrichial fields with rows of microtrichia closely spaced, bearing 3 discal setae; VIII and IX without discal microtrichia medially, posteromarginal comb on VIII regular and complete. Sternites III­VI with 3 pairs of posteromarginal setae; microtrichial fields weak, scarcely extending to S2.

Measurements of holotype female. Body length 1150. Head, length 50; width 150; p.o. S1 15. Pronotum, length 100; width 175; posteromarginal setae S113, S2 23. Forewing length 670. Antennal segments III – VI, 47, 40, 43, 47.

Male macroptera. Similar in colour and sculpture to female, but smaller and paler; tergite IX with pair of exceptionally long (150 microns), curved and dark drepanae extending beyond apex of tergite X; aedeagus without stout spines.

Holotype female. South Australia, Kangaroo Island, Kelly Hill Caves, Hakea muelleriana inflorescence [ Proteaceae ], 24.xii.2002 (LAM 4260). Paratypes: 10 females, 7 males collected with holotype; Kangaroo Island, Remarkable Rocks, 10 females, 10 males from Hakea aenigma inflorescences and leaves, 24.xii.2002 (LAM 4261).

Comments. This species shares many character states with S. kirrhos and related species that are known from Acacia foliage. However, the mouth cone is exceptionally long, the median setae on the first abdominal tergite are well developed, and the great length of the male drepanae is unique in this genus. One male/female pair in cop has been studied, and in these one of the drepanae was inserted between the ovipositor valves near the base. The second instar larvae of S. drepanofortis also have the mouth cone unusually elongate, but the dorsal surface of the thorax has sculpture and fringed capitate major setae that are very similar to those of S. helenae ( Fig. 61 ). The elongate mouth cone of this species is directed ventrally in life, whereas that of S. tenor is directed posteriorly.

Figures

FIGURES 1 ­ 10. Scirtothrips heads and pronota. 1, akakia; 2, albomaculatus; 3, aurantii; 4, australiae; 5, casuarinae; 6, dorsalis; 7, dorsalis; 8, drepanofortis; 9, eremicus; 10, dobroskyi.

FIGURES 32 ­ 37. Scirtothrips pro­ meso­ and metanota. 32, pilbara; 33, akakia; 34, solus; 35, helenae; 36, drepanofortis; 37, aurantii male hind leg.

FIGURES 38 ­ 44. Scirtothrips abdominal tergites. 38, akakia; 39, albomaculatus VI­IX; 40, australiae VI­IX; 41, drepanofortis I­IV; 42, kirrhos IV­VI; 43, moneres IV­VI; 44, inermis IV­VIII.

FIGURES 58 ­ 63. Scirtothrips second instar larvae, head and pronotum. 58, aurantii; 59, dorsalis; 60, frondis; 61, helenae; 62, tenor; 63, dobroskyi.