Holopothrips tupi Hood

(Figs 272–275)

Holopothrips tupi Hood, 1955: 143.

Diagnostic features. Body (except antenna) uniformly dark brown, including fore tibiae; maxillary stylets parallel, po setae somewhat short; one pair of long setae on epimeral region; metanotal sculpture formed elongate reticles, with internal markings; pelta with slightly elongate reticles bearing internal markings; males with three pore plates on sternite VIII only; female spermatheca not enlarged.

Comments. Described from Southeastern Brazil without any identification of the host plant, this species shares some similarities with H. signatus, but the latter is bicoloured with po setae longer. The pronotal setae of H. tupi are dark and stout, somewhat short when compared to the setae of other Holopothrips species. The pelta reticles bear internal markings, but are not elongate and thin as in some other species with this characteristic (Fig. 275). Females have an s-shaped spermatheca (Fig. 274).

Material studied. 2 female paratypes; Brazil, São Paulo, Serra da Cantareira, Franco da Rocha, leaves of unidentified shrub or tree, 11.vi.1948 (Hood, J.D., Lane, F. and Filho, L.T.), at BMNH and NMNH. Slides with code “ Hood No. 1609”.