Intra-specific structural variation among Hawaiian Hoplothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), with ten new synonymies and one new species

Abstract

Most of the 16 fungus-feeding species described from the Hawaiian Islands and now placed in the genus Hoplothrips were based on very few and incomplete specimens. The descriptions were published long before any studies on the biology and structural variation of fungus-feeding Phlaeothripinae. Ten of these species are here placed into synonymy, and doubts are expressed concerning the identity of some others. One new polymorphic species is described and compared to a species known only from Florida. In the absence of comprehensive studies on the Hoplothrips fauna of North America, there is little evidence of endemicity or radiation on Hawaii within this genus.

The genus Hoplothrips in Australia (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae), with eleven new species

“…This is a typical member the H. fungi complex, and is closely related to H. fungi, H. karnyi and H. japonicus. It is distinguished only because antennal segments IV-VI are uniformly brown rather than pale at the base (Mound 2017). Described originally from India in association with twigs of Rubus infested by rust fungus, this species was subsequently recorded from New Zealand (Mound & Walker, 1986), Lord Howe Island (Mound 1998), Norfolk Island (Mound & Wells 2015), and Japan, Ryukyu Islands (Okajima, 2006).…”

Fungus-feeding thrips in Iran with a new species of Stictothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

“…The species frequently exhibit considerable dimorphism associated with sex and also with wing length, and there is often great variation in body size often involving allometry in some structural characters of males. Consequently, it is difficult to identify many of species of this widespread genus, as many are known only from few specimens (Hoddle et al 2019, Mound 2017. These thrips are usually found on dead branches, although some are associated with leaf litter.…”