Distinguishing features

Both sexes apterous. Female brown; antennal segments I and II, basal two-thirds of III, basal half of IV–VI, and extreme base of VII yellow; distal half of mid and hind femora and distal two-thirds of fore femora also yellow; tube yellow in basal two-thirds; major setae brown. Structure similar to aleurodisci; head with cheeks less rounded; ocelli absent; maxillary stylets very short, restricted to mouth cone. Sense cones on antennal segments III and IV exceptionally long and thin, on III extending beyond mid-point of segment IV. Pronotum without strong lines of sculpture near posterior margin; fore tarsal tooth small; mesonotum broadly transverse, usually lacking setae on lateral tubercles. Pelta rounded anteriorly, faintly sculptured, bearing 2 small lateral lobes, posterior margin eroded; tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of small, straight wing-retaining setae; tergite IX setae S3 longer than tube, finely pointed; tube almost as long as head. Sternites with about 6 discal setae.
Male similar to female, but large males with fore tarsal tooth large and fore femora swollen; pronotum enlarged, with midlateral setae longer; head with a ventral tubercle between eyes; tergite IX with a large, pointed tubercle between posteromarginal setae.

Related species

The genus Sophiothrips comprises 31 species worldwide. Five of these are endemic to Australia, with one of these five also in New Zealand. Three further species constitute the duvali-group in which antennal segment III bears 2 sense cones instead of just a single sense cone. One of these three species is known only from Norfolk Island, but the other two are endemic to New Zealand (Mound & Tree, 2014). The pelta in S. duvali is eroded on the posterior margin, and the sense cones on antennal segment III extend to at least the mid-point of segment IV.

Biological data

Living on dead branches in native forest, and presumably feeding on fungal hyphae.

Distribution data

Known only from New Zealand (CL, TO).

Family name

PHLAEOTHRIPIDAE, PHLAEOTHRIPINAE

Species name

Sophiothrips duvali Mound & Walker

Original name and synonyms

Sophiothrips duvali Mound & Walker, 1982: 352

References

Mound LA &Tree DJ (2014) The minute, fungus-feeding species of Sophiothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) from Australia and New Zealand. Zootaxa 3860 (2): 184–194.

Mound LA & Walker AK (1986) Tubulifera (Insecta: Thysanoptera). Fauna of New Zealand 10: 1–140.