Holopothrips hilaris Hood

Holopothrips hilaris Hood

(Figs 102–106)

Holopothrips hilaris Hood, 1938: 233.

Diagnostic features. Body (except antenna) mostly brown, with abdominal segments I–V yellow; maxillary stylets parallel; one pair of long setae on epimeral region; basantra present; metanotal sculpture formed by thin and elongate reticles anteriorly, and broad reticles posteriorly, with internal markings; males with three pore plates on sternites VII–VIII; female spermatheca not enlarged.

Comments. Another species described from Southeastern Brazil, H. hilaris is unique within the genus for having the body mostly brown, but pelta (Fig. 105) and abdominal segments II–V clear yellow; and is one of two species of Holopothrips with specimens having hind femora yellow but hind tibiae brown. The other species with this unusual colour pattern for the hind legs, H. signatus, has only abdominal segments II–III yellow. The host plant of this species is unknown, with the type series being collected from an unidentified herb.

Material studied. 1 female paratype, Brazil, São Paulo, on leaves of an herb, ix.1935 (Hambleton, E.J.), at NMNH. Slide with note “No. 9, his letter of June 9, 1936 ”.