First record and redescription of Helionothrips annosus Wang, 1993 (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in South Asian region: a pest of True Cinnamon Tree, Cinnamomum verum J.Presl. in Sri Lanka

Abstract

A thrips species, Helionothrips annosus Wang, 1993, is reported for the first time from the South Asian region as a leaf damaging pest on True Cinnamon Tree in Sri Lanka and taxonomically redescribed. The species is very distinct in hav-ing a complete comb of microtrichia on abdominal tergite VIII. Female is dark brown and 1.5–1.6mm in length with a prominent transverse occipital ridge and metascutum triangle with posterior margin extending over the metascutellum. Its local distribution, alternative host plants, and damage to cultivated True Cinnamon leaves are also recorded in this study.

Taxonomic review and illustrated key to identify species of Thysanoptera in subfamily Panchaetothripinae (Thripidae) from the Philippines

“…(Kudo 1995). It is a pest of cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, in Sri Lanka (Widanapathirana et al 2022) while Helionothrips guttatus Reyes was first described in the Philippines (Mt. Apo) on flowers of 'everlasting' plant in 1994.…”

“…Helionothrips annosus Wang,1994: 391. The photomicrographs of female thrips from Sri Lanka were provided by C. U. Widanapathirana and M. R. Ulitzka (Widanapathirana 2022).…”

“…9f), tergite X completely divided longitudinally, tapered. Male abdominal sternites lack glandular area (Kudo 1995;Widanapathirana et al 2022).…”