Thrips No. 11 2009 ISSN 0974-6587 26 October 2009 Ramezani, L., J. S. Bhatti, M. S. Mossadegh, E. Soleimannejadian Discovery of Eremiothrips similis in Iran, with a catalogue of species of Eremiothrips in Iran (Insecta: Terebrantia: Thripidae) 1–18 Eremiothrips similis abdominal segments 9-10, dorsal Scientia Publishing, New Delhi 110027 Thrips No. 11: 1–18. 26 Oct. 2009. ISSN 0974-6587 Scientia Publishing, New Delhi. Discovery of Eremiothrips similis in Iran, with a catalogue of species of Eremiothrips in Iran (Insecta: Terebrantia: Thripidae) Leila Ramezani 1, 2, J. S. Bhatti 3, M. S. Mossadegh 1, E. Soleimannejadian 1 1Shahid Chamran University, Ahwaz, Iran. 2 e-mail: [email protected] 3New Delhi, India. e-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Eremiothrips similis Bhatti 1988, originally described from one female and two males from Iraq, is not known so far from any other area. There is also no subsequent report of the species. The species has now been found in various parts of Khuzestan province of Iran on four cereal crops. It has been collected in fairly good numbers. Random samples collected from Sept 2007 to Nov 2008 comprise 75 131 , indicating that E. similis is widely distributed on crops in Khuzestan province. The geographical distribution of Eremiothrips similis now extends from Baghdad in Iraq to Khuzestan in Iran. Some characters for recognition of the species are noted and illustrated. A catalogue is given for the 11 species of Eremiothrips now known from Iran. Introduction 2 Catalogue of species of Eremiothrips in Iran 5 Eremiothrips similis in Iran 10 Identification of Eremiothrips similis 12 References 16 2 Thrips No. 11, 2009 Introduction Eremiothrips Priesner 1949 is an eremophilous genus of the thysanopteran insect order Terebrantia (superorder Thysanoptera) in the family Thripidae in the reorganized classification of families (Bhatti 2006). The genus Eremiothrips has been characterized in the following accounts: (1) Priesner 1949, Bulletin de la Société Fouad Ier d’Entomologie, 33: 44, 45, 46, 60, 61, in key to genera; 129, E. imitator Pries., designated as type of genus. Original publication of the genus Eremiothrips as available name (Art. 13.1.1 and 13.3 of the Zoological Code). Distinguishing characters of Eremiothrips are given in the key to genera. Related to Scirtothrips. Wings as in Psilothrips. (2) Priesner 1950, Bulletin de la Société Fouad Ier d’Entomologie, 34: 28–29. This is the first description of the genus Eremiothrips and its type species Eremiothrips imitator. The genus comes close to Scirtothrips. The species name appears as Eremiothrips imitans in the caption to the figs. 6 and 7. (3) Priesner 1965, Publications de l’Institut du Désert d’Egypte (1960), 13: 252–253. Original description of Ascirtothrips. Comes closest to Scirtothrips. Ascirtothrips (Antilopothrips) is described as new subgenus of Ascirtothrips, to include Ascirtothrips antilope (Priesner) (type species) and A. shirabudinensis (Yakhontov 1929). (4) Priesner 1965, Publications de l’Institut du Désert d’Egypte (1960), 13: 256–257, 257–258. Description of Eremiothrips and Eremiothrips imitator Priesner. Shape of wings about as in Ascirtothrips. Structure of cuticle as in Ascirtothrips. (5) Bhatti 1972, Oriental Insects, 6 (2): 218–219. Definition of the genus Ascirtothrips, characters, discussion, key to 5 known species. Modern definition of the genus is given. Ascirtothrips (Antilopothrips Priesner 1965) is synonymized under Ascirtothrips. Hemianaphothrips dubius (Priesner) is transferred to Ascirtothrips. Five species are included in Ascirtothrips (antilope, dubius, efflatouni, shirabudinensis, varius). Critical analysis of the genus is given. Ascirtothrips is not related to Scirtothrips but is related to Anaphothrips, from which it differs in having well developed mediodorsal setae on abdominal tergum IX of female and in having divided ferna in both sexes. The abdominal sterna of male lack gland areas except in dubius with gland area on each of abdominal sterna IV–VII. Phallic organs of four species are illustrated. Ascirtothrips is characterized as follows, based on 4 species studied (antilope, dubius, efflatouni, varius): Head with two pairs of anteocellar setae. Antennal segment I without setae dorsally near apex; antennal segment II without microtrichia. Pronotal surface weakly transversely striate. Basantra absent. Ferna divided, the two halves widely separated. Median pair of mesonotal setae far ahead of posterior margin. Metascutum without discal pores, median pair of setae far removed from anterior margin; metascutal sculpture medially reticulate. Mesoanepimeron with a few longitudinal anastomosing striae, and with a covering of microtrichia. Spinula present on mesosternum only. Mesothoracic sternopleural sutures present. Tarsi 2-segmented. Posterior fringes on fore wing undulated. Abdominal tergum II with 3 lateral marginal setae. Terga and sterna without posterior Ramezani, Bhatti, Mossadegh, Soleimannejadian: Discovery of Eremiothrips similis in Iran 3 flanges. Laterotergite and pleurite areas not marked out. Seta S4 on abdominal tergum VI not reduced, on VII and VIII weakly developed but not indistinct. Abdominal terga I to VIII completely sculptured with transverse lines across middle, these lines scarcely anastomose. Median pair of setae on female abdominal sternum VII ahead of posterior margin. Phallus entirely membranous, unarmed, with short lateral lobes, and with terminal gonopore; phallic cords sinuous and cross- striate, basally ending in a sac or vesicle. Hypophallus normal, usually without special development, proximal part of parameres broad. Hypomere simple. Parameres simple, or with teeth (dubius). A unique feature in species of Ascirtothrips is noted: the prothorax has each sternal apophysis joined by a thin thread-like weakly chitinized structure to the pleural apophysis of its side. Species of Ascirtothrips are extremely difficult to separate in the female sex, especially involving the females of antilope, dubius, shirabudinensis, varius, although the fifth species efflatouni is readily separated by having 8-segmented antennae with only a partially divided antennal segment VI. It was also noted that some of the specimens, determined as antilope from Morocco (cf. zur Strassen 1968: 73–74), received at that time from zur Strassen represented an undescribed species. (6) zur Strassen 1975, Senckenbergiana Biologica, 56 (4–6): 257–282. This is the most exhaustive comparative study of species of Ascirtothrips, and still remains indispensable for studies in the genus. 10 species are included in the genus, of which 5 are described as new. A comprehensive key to these species of Ascirtothrips is provided (p. 279–281). The following characters (listed on p. 258) are used for distinguishing females of species in this genus. (i) Length of inner sense cone on antennal segment V compared to the length of outer sense cone. (ii) Length of the (outer) sense cone on antennal segment VI in relation with the segment IX. (iii) Number of anteocellar setae. 6 (rarely 8) anteocellar setae in brunneus (p. 264), 4 anteocellar setae in all other species. (iv) Structure and length of the (inner) discal setae of metanotum compared to the (outer) submarginal setae. (v) Length of the proximal setae on lower vein of fore wing in relation with the width of wing at the level of fork of vein (Adergabelung). (vi) Number of distal costal setae at the anterior margin of fore wing after the distally last fringe hair. (vii)Position of the discal-“pores” on tergites VIII (and VII). zur Strassen reexamined the entire material previously identified as antilope from Morocco (zur Strassen 1968: 73–74), and described three new species based on this material from Morocco (brunneus, dorcas, tamaricis). He also described two new species from Iran (arya, taghizadehi), based on material from Iran collected by him in 1973 (Tehran, from Dendrostellera lessertii, 30- viii-1973). (7) Bhatti 1988, Zoology, 1 (2): 117–125. This review clarifies the taxonomic status of the nominal genera Ascirtothrips and Eremiothrips. Eremiothrips, previously known as a monotypic genus with only the type species (imitator) is treated as senior synonym of Ascirtothrips. 13 species are included in Eremiothrips, of which 10 species are transferred from Ascirtothrips, one species (manolachei) is transferred from Oxythrips, and a new species (similis) is described from Iraq. Lectotype of Eremiothrips imitator Priesner is designated. 6 figures are given from this specimen, illustrating the antennae, head, pronotum, meso- and metanotum, and abdominal terga VII–X. 4 Thrips No. 11, 2009 Synonymy of the genus and its species is given. (8) zur Strassen 2003, Die Tierwelt Deutschlands, Part 74: 123 (generic diagnosis of Eremiothrips), 124–126 (key to 8 species of Europe and the Mediterranean area, which include 5 species found in Iran, i.e. antilope, efflatouni, taghizadehi, tamaricis, varius). Small mostly pale insects with pterothorax width of 165–270 µm, in 150–220 µm. Antennae as a rule 9-segmented, with 3-segmented style, rarely 2-segmented with segment VI often having an incomplete subapical transverse suture. Maxillary palp 3-segmented. Pronotum with a posteroangular seta which is sometimes very short. Fore wing with the setae of the two long veins usually short and somewhat thickened, those at the level of fork of vein often only 0.25–0.33 times as long as the width of wing at this place. Ovipositor generally shorter than 230 µm. Abdominal segment IX of male with paired caudally directed processes in a majority of species found in the region. (9) Bhatti & Telmadarraiy 2003, Thrips, No. 2: 55–56 (description of Eremiothrips), 57–58 (re- lationships of Eremiothrips), 58–99 (description of E. farsi, new species from Iran), 100–106 (key to species of Eremiothrips in Iran). New structural features are described. Eyes ventrally each with 6 pigmented facets. Antennal segment I with 6+5 setae, II with 7 (+1) setae, III and IV each with 5 setae, V with 6 setae, VI with 5 to 6 setae, VII and VIII each with 3 setae, IX with 6 setae. Dorsal cervical sclerites are absent. Prothoracic pleuron lateral in position. Mesoacrotergite with 4 pairs of setae.