Simulothrips banpoti Nonaka & Jangvitaya, 1994

Ng, Y. F. & Mound, L. A., 2015, Species of Thripinae (Thysanoptera) from bamboo in Malaysia, with one new species and six new records, Zootaxa 3918 (4), pp. 492-502 : 496-497

Simulothrips banpoti Nonaka & Jangvitaya, 1994

( Figs 16–18 )

Female macroptera. Body and legs largely yellow, ocellar area shaded, pronotum with shaded area sub-laterally; fore wing pale; antennal segments I–IV yellow, V–VIII brown ( Fig. 17 ). Head about as long as wide, posterior area transversely striate; ocellar setae pair II longest, arising anterior to fore ocellus, pair III arising on tangent between posterior margins of hind ocelli ( Fig. 16 ). Pronotum trapezoidal and with distinct transverse lines, as long as basal width; posteroangular and posteromarginal setae subequal ( Fig 16 ). Fore tibia without apical spur on inner margin. Mesonotum without median campaniform sensilla. Metanotum with median setae arising far behind anterior margin ( Fig. 18 ). Abdominal tergite VIII without posteromarginal comb of microtrichia.

Material studied. Malaysia, Selangor, Kajang. 1 female from Bambusa sp., 8.xii.2013 (Ng, Y.F.), 3 females from the same plant, 7.i.2014 (Ng, Y.F.), in CISUKM and ANIC.

Comments. This is the sole species in the genus Simulothrips . Previously it was known only from Thailand, and is here newly recorded from Malaysia. The genera Simulothrips , Paithrips and Okajimaella are closely related. They share many characters that suggest that they represent, together with Takethrips and Yoshinothrips known only from Thailand, a single radiation on Asian bamboo plants. The genus Simulothrip s is currently distinguished by its pronotum that is trapezoidal, bearing many fine transverse striae, and with the posteromarginal setae S2, S5 and S6 subequal in length.

Figures

FIGURES 16 – 21. Simulothrips banpoti. (16) Head and pronotum; (17) Antenna; (18) Mesonotum and metanotum. Okajimaella tubercula (19) Head and pronotum; (20) Antenna; (21) Mesonotum and metanotum.