Aliceathrips palmeri Mound, 2011, sp.n.

Aliceathrips palmeri sp.n.

(Figs 19–22)

Female macroptera. Body and legs yellow, abdominal segment X and posterior third of IX dark brown; antennal segment I white, II–IV pale with II and apex of III and IV variably weakly shaded, V pale with apex light brown, VI–VIII brown; fore wings and major setae pale, but median dorsal setal pair on IX brown. With the character states in the generic diagnosis; antennae 8-segmented, III–IV with sensorium simple. Ocellar setae III 2.0 as long as an ocellus (Fig. 19). Pronotal posteroangular setae longer than antennal segment III; prosternal ferna weakly continuous medially; metanotum with weak longitudinal sculpture (Fig. 19); mesosternal anterior margin with about 12 setae; tergite IX median dorsal setae stout, arising on posterior third of tergite close to posterior setae (Fig. 20), posterior pair I shorter than pair II; X with median split complete; sternite II with 0–3 discal setae, III–VII with 4–10 discal setae sometimes arranged irregularly.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Body length 1400. Head length 125; width across eyes 125; ocellar setae III 30. Pronotum, length 130; maximum width 160; pa inner setae 45; pa outer setae 45. Fore wing length 650. Metanotal median setae 20. Tergite IX median dorsal setae 60; marginal setae S1 100; S2 125. Tergite X setae S1 115. Antennal segments III–VIII length 40, 35, 35, 47, 8, 10.

Male macroptera. Smaller and paler than female; tergite IX with pair of long curved processes (Fig. 21); sternites III–VII with transverse pore plate on antecostal area (Fig. 22).

Material studied. Holotype female, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, from Panicum decompositarum lvs., 27.xi.2008 (Chris Palmer).

Paratypes: 13 females, 5 males taken with holotype; Queensland, Moura, 1 female from Cenchrus ciliaris, 20.i.1966; Dalby, Broadwater Lake, 1 female, 27.ii.2003; 45km south of Tambo, 3 females, 20.v.1999; 15km south of Charters Towers, 1 female, 1 male, 2.vii.1995; Emerald, 1 female, 29.x.2001. Western Australia, Kununnura, ii–iv. 2005.

Comments. The females of this species have the median dorsal setae on tergite IX stout, arising in a posterior position and extending well beyond the posterior margin of the tergite. The male has processes on the ninth tergite that are similar to those of A. mnestes, but the sternites bear pore plates. Two females have also been seen from Kununurra in the north of Western Australia that probably represent this species.