Most species of Phylladothrips are found in the tropic and subtropic regions of Asia (Fig. 1). However, although described from Taiwan, the distribution of P. pictus extends to the temperate region, where this species was recorded from the Ryukyu Islands, the Izu Islands and Honshu of Japan (Okajima 2006). Three species of Phylladothrips are found in the subtropics of southern China – Guangxi and southeast of Xizang, where the fauna shares many thrips taxa with Southeast Asian countries and Japan (Dang et al. 2014). The area between mainland China and Australia is species-rich for thrips, not only both fungal feeding and plant feeding species. At present it is impossible to detect any distribution patterns due to limited exploration.

Figure 1. 

Distribution sites of Phylladothrips species – indicated by yellow circles.

Small-sized fungus-feeders. Head a little wider than long, usually distinctly constricted at base (Figs 2–9); eyes large, longer than half length of head; postocellar setae usually slender, sometimes long and expanded at apex (Fig. 2); postocular setae well developed, expanded at apex; mouth-cone short and rounded, maxillary stylets broad, retracted far into head capsule, maxillary bridge weakly present or absent; antennae 8-segmented, II with campaniform sensorium on apical half of segment, III and IV with 1+2 and 2+2 sense cones respectively (Fig. 3). Pronotal am setae reduced, sometimes aa weak as well; major setae expanded at apex (Figs 2–9, 14); notopleural sutures incomplete; basantra scarcely present, or absent (Fig. 15); meso- and metanotum with weak setae and sculpture, metanotum median setal pair usually relatively long but pointed at apex; mesopresternum eroded medially (Fig. 15); metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore tarsi unarmed; fore wings weakly constricted medially, without duplicated cilia (Fig. 17). Pelta hat-shaped (Figs 16, 18, 20), without campaniform sensilla; tergites II–VIII with two pairs of wing-retaining setae (Figs 20–23), sometimes VIII with only one posterior pair developed; accessory setae on tergite IX usually elongate but slender, S2 on male tergite IX well developed, about as long as S1 or a little longer (Fig. 5); tube shorter than head, anal setae usually shorter than tube; male sternite without pore plate.

Figures 2–5. 

Phylladothrips species. P. pallidus (2–4) 2 head and pronotum 3 antenna 4 tergites VIII–X, female; P. pictus (5) 5 tergites IX–X, male.

Figures 6–15. 

Phylladothrips species. Head and pronotum (6–9) 6 P. niger 7 P. selangor sp. nov. 8 P. pictus 9 P. trisetae sp. nov.; antennae (10–13) 10 P. pictus 11 P. trisetae sp. nov. 12 P. fasciae 13 P. selangor sp. nov.; pronotum (14) 14 P. fasciae; basantra and mesopresternum (15) 15 P. selangor sp. nov.

Figures 16–23. 

Phylladothrips species. P. trisetae sp. nov. (16, 17) 16 metanotum, pelta and tergite II 17 fore wing; P. fasciae (18–20) 18 pelta 19 sternites V–VI 20 pelta and tergites II–IV; tergites VII–X (21–23) 21 P. trisetae sp. nov. 22 P. fasciae 23 P. selangor sp. nov.

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), Japan, Mindanao, Mt. Apo, Agko, on dead Palmaceae leaves, 4.viii.1979 (S. Okajima); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype.

Described from Mindanao, Philippines on dead Arecaceae leaves, this species was transferred to Phylladothrips from Paradexiothrips by Okajima (1988). However, it can be distinguished by tergite VIII with only one posterior pair of wing-retaining setae. It is similar to P. pallidus described from Taiwan in having well-developed postocellar setae with apex expanded (Fig. 2), but their differences are given in the key. In addition, the broader stylets are somewhat similar to those of Idolothripinae species, and Okajima (1984) recorded lots of small fungal spores in the gut of the holotype female. Paratype males of this species have been studied, and setae S2 on tergite IX are short, a condition that is non-typical in this genus.

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, on dead leaves and branches, 16.viii.1984 (S. Okajima); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype; 1♀1♂ (SNUT), CHINA, Xizang, Motuo County, on dry leaves and grasses, 20.vii.2022 (Y.Q. Li).

This species, described originally from Sulawesi, Indonesia on dead leaves and branches, can be distinguished easily by abdominal tergite II yellow in contrast to the rest of the brown body. By comparing the types of P. fasciae, one female and male from Xizang are here identified as this species, representing the first record of this species from China. The male has some different characters, such as abdominal tergite III yellowish brown (Fig. 20), between clear yellow II and brown IV, fore and hind femora clear yellow, and S2 (75 μm) slightly longer than S1 (65 μm) on tergite IX (Fig. 22).

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Karaenta Forest, on dead Palmae, 6.viii.1984 (S. Okajima); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype.

Described from Sulawesi, Indonesia on dead Arecaceae branches, this species is similar in body coloration with another Indonesian species, P. lateralis from Bali Island. Together they can be distinguished easily from other Phylladothrips species by the largely yellow body, especially yellow heads. However, P. gracilis has unusual pale antennal segments I–II in contrast to P. lateralis with I–II brown.

The type species of the genus was described from a single female taken at Java, Indonesia on leaves of Ammomum sp. This specimen was studied by Okajima (1988), who indicated that the species can be distinguished from P. niger from Malaysia only by the parallel cheeks of the head although they are very similar in body coloration and shape. The type specimen was not seen during the present studies.

Holotype , ♂ (TUA), Indonesia, Bali Island, on dead Palmae fronds, 29.viii.1984 (S. Okajima); paratype, 1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype.

Known only from two males taken at Gilimanuk, Bali, Indonesia on dead Arecaceae fronds, this species is similar to P. gracilis, with the differences between them discussed above.

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), Malaysia, Cameron Highland, Tanah Rata, on dead leaves, 2.iii.1976 (W. Suzuki); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype; 1♀1♂ (ANIC), MALAYSIA, Genting Highlands, on dead wood and leaves, 28.ix.1973 (L. Mound); 1♀1♂ (ANIC), MALAYSIA, Gunung Belumut, Johor, on dry leaves and branches, 12.viii.2009 (Y.F. Ng & X.L. Eow).

Described from Tanah Rata, West Malaysia, on dead leaves and recorded from Luzon National Park, the Philippines, this is the second species after the type species with the body uniformly brown; the third is described here as a new species from Xizang. The cheeks of head are distinctly constricted towards the base (Fig. 6), distinguishing this from the type species, P. karnyi.

Paratypes , 1♀1♂ (SMF), China, Taiwan, Pintung Hsien, on dead leaves, 19.iii.1984 (S. Okajima).

Described from Kenting National Park, Taiwan on dead leaves, this species is one of the two Phylladothrips species having postocellar setae elongate and expanded at apex (Fig. 2), while the other one is P. bispinosus from the Philippines. However, in P. pallidus there are two pairs of wing-retaining setae on tergite VIII (Fig. 4) but only one pair in P. bispinosus.

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), China, Taiwan, Pintung Hsien, Kenting National Park, on dead leaves, 19.iii.1984 (S. Okajima); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA and SMF), with the same data as holotype; 1♀ (TUA), Japan, Yokohama, Tomioka, on dead fronds of Trachycarpus sp., 22.ix.2019; 6♀2♂ (TUA), Japan, Ryukyu and Izu Islands, 26.x.1985 and 4.iv.1990 (S. Okajima); 1♀2♂ (SNUT), China, Guangxi, Chongzhou, Fusui County, on dead branches, 7.viii.2021 (X. Wang).

Described from Kenting National Park, Taiwan, on dead leaves and branches and recorded from subtropical and temperate Japan (the Ryukyu Islands, Izu Islands and Honshu) on dead twigs, some type-specimens of this species were collected with P. pallidus. They are closely similar to each other in the bicolored body, but they can be distinguished by the shape of the postocellar setae, as indicated in the key, also the different color patterns, with head (Fig. 8) and abdominal tergite I brown in P. pictus but yellow in P. pallidus. One female and two males from Guangxi, China are exactly the same as the holotype and paratype specimens on loan from SMF and TUA, and this is the first record of this species from China. Phylladothrips pictus is also similar to the new species from Malaysia, but the differences between them are discussed under the comments of this new species.

Holotype , ♀ (ANIC), Malaysia, University of Malaya, on dead palm, 08.v.2006, L. Mound. Paratypes, 1♀2♂ (ANIC), with the same data as holotype.

Holotype. Female macroptera. Body bicoloured. Head, thorax and tube brown (Figs 7, 23), abdominal segment I–III clear yellow, IV–V yellow with brownish at lateral 1/3, VI–IX yellow, tube brown with extreme base pale. Antennal segments I–II light brown, III clear yellow, IV brown with yellow at basal half, V–VIII uniformly brown (Fig. 13); fore legs clear yellow except brown coxa, mid legs largely yellow, but coxa brown and basal half of femora light brown, hind legs uniformly yellow. Wings yellow with slightly shading.

Head. Head inverted trapezoid, a little wider than long (Fig. 7); dorsal surface smooth with slightly transverse striae on basal third; eyes large, 0.4 times as long as head, postocular setae much shorter than eyes, expanded at apex (Fig. 7); cheeks constricted at base. Mouth-cone rounded, maxillary stylets broad and long (possibly retracted to postocular setae but stylets damaged in holotype, Fig. 7). Antennae 8-segmented, III–VI with basal stem, VIII slightly constricted at base, sensoria elongate, longer than half of this segment, III with 1+2, IV with 2+2, V–VI with 1+1 respectively, VII with one ventrally (Fig. 13).

Thorax. Pronotum smooth with weak sculpture close to posterior margin, notopleural sutures incomplete (Fig. 7); setae am minute, aa, ml, epim and pa setae developed, expanded at apex (Fig. 7), basantra present but weak; mesonotum with weak sculpture in front part, all setae minute; mesopresternum eroded medially, reduced to two lateral plates (Fig. 15); metanotum weakly reticulate, three pairs of tiny setae on anterior angles, a pair of median setae slightly larger, pointed at apex. Legs without fore tarsal tooth. Fore wings slender, weakly constricted medially, without duplicated cilia; three pairs of subbasal setae well developed, expanded at apex, S2 about as long as S3.

Abdomen. Pelta reticulate, tall hat-shaped; abdominal tergites II–VIII with two pairs of wing-retaining setae, posterior pair on tergite VIII slightly smaller than anterior pair (Fig. 23); S1–S2 on tergite IX expanded at apex, S1 slightly shorter than S2, S3 the longest, about as long as tube, pointed at apex, accessory setae between S1 and S2 elongate, slightly shorter than S1, pointed at apex (Fig. 23); tube about 0.6 times as long as head, anal setae shorter than tube; sternites II–VIII with a row of 8–15 slender setae.

Measurements (holotype female in μm). Body length 1510. Head length 150, width just behind eyes 168, width at base 130; eye length 73, postocular setae length 28. Antenna length 345, segments I–VIII length (widest) 25(30), 35(25), 50(25), 60(25), 50(25), 48(20), 38(18) and 30(12), sensoria on segment III length 38. Fore wing length 615, subbasal setae length, S1 25, S2 35, S3 40. Pronotum length 100, width 200, length of pronotal setae, am 5, aa 28, ml 25, epim 45, pa 35. Pelta length 60, width at apex 50, width at base 100; tergite IX posteromarginal setae S1–S3, 75, 83, 88, accessorial setae length 63; tube length 90, basal width 55, apical width 25; anal setae length 70.

Male macroptera. Similar to female; abdominal tergites IV–IX brownish yellow; S2 on tergite IX slightly longer than S1, accessory setae between S1 and S2 elongate, but shorter than S1, sternites II–VIII with a row of 8–11 slender setae.

Measurements (paratype male in μm). Body length 1220. Head length 135, width just behind eyes 145, width at base 115; eye length 65, postocular setae length 25. Antenna length 330, segments I–VIII length (widest) 28(28), 35(25), 48(25), 53(25), 45(22), 40(20), 35(15) and 25(10), sensoria on segment III length 28. Fore wing length 560, subbasal setae length, S1 25, S2 30, S3 30. Pronotum length 90, width 175, length of pronotal setae, am 5, aa 25, ml 28, epim 45, pa 25. Pelta length 50, width at apex 30, width at base 60; tergite IX posteromarginal setae S1–S3, 60, 63, 90, accessorial setae length 57; tube length 75, basal width 45, apical width 25; anal setae length 70.

This species name is based on the collecting location.

This new species is one of the typical bicolored species in this genus, and is closely related to P. similis and P. pictus as indicated in the key. However, it can be distinguished by the brown prothorax, whereas the prothorax is yellow in P. similis and P. pictus, despite the various abdomen color patterns.

Holotype , ♀ (TUA), The Philippines, Mindanao, Mt. Apo, Agko, on dead leaves, 1.viii.1984 (S. Okajima); paratypes, 1♀1♂ (TUA), with the same data as holotype.

Described from Mindanao, the Philippines, on dead leaves, and recorded from Indonesia, Thailand and Western Malaysia, this species seems widespread around Southeast Aisa and has various body colorations. It is difficult to distinguish from P. pictus indicated in the original description, but they are different in the shape of the male aedeagus (Okajima 1988: figs 19–21). A paratype female of P. pictus on loan from SMF had abdominal segment II clear yellow, but III–IX brownish yellow and intermediate in colour between II and the brown tube. The color of abdominal segments of P. similis is II–III yellow, IV–V brown, VI–VIII brown to brownish yellow, IX and tube brown. However, a female from West Malaysia had the abdomen largely brown (Okajima 1988). Variation in coloration also exists in many fungus-feeding Phlaeothripinae, such as the related genera, Apelaunothrips and Holothrips. Sometimes the color helps to distinguish species, but sometimes there are gradual changes in different specimens of one species.

Holotype , ♀ (SNUT), China, Xizang, Motuo County, on leaf-litter, 20.vii.2022, Y.Q. Li; Paratypes, 1♀3♂ (SNUT), with the same data as holotype; 1♀1♂ (ANIC), with the same data as holotype.

Holotype. Female macroptera. Body brown. All legs brown with tibiae yellow at extreme apices also all tarsi, fore and hind femora paler on apical 1/4. Antennal segments brown, with III–VI basal stems yellow (Fig. 11). Wings shaded with brown, body setae brown.

Head. Head inverted trapezoid, a little wider than length (Fig. 9); dorsal surface smooth with slightly transverse striae on basal third; eyes large, 0.4 times as long as head, postocular setae well developed, but shorter than eyes, expanded at apex (Fig. 9); cheeks narrowing to base. Mouth-cone rounded, maxillary stylets long, retracted to postocular setae, about one-fourth of head width apart, bridge stout (Fig. 9). Antennae 8-segmented, III–VI with basal stem, VIII not constricted at base, III with 1+2 sensoria, IV with 2+2, V–VI with 1+1 respectively, VII with one ventrally (Fig. 11).

Thorax. Pronotum smooth with weakly sculpture close to posterior margin, notopleural suture incomplete (Fig. 9); am and aa minute, ml, epim and pa setae developed, expanded at apex (Fig. 9), basantra present but weak; mesonotum with weak sculpture on front part, all setae minute, mesopresternum eroded medially, reduced to two lateral plates; metanotum smooth medially, with weak longitudinal reticulation laterally, three pairs of tiny setae on anterior angles, a pair of median setae slightly larger, pointed at apex (Fig. 16). Legs without fore tarsal tooth. Fore wings slender, weakly constricted medially, without duplicated cilia, three pairs of subbasal setae well developed, blunt at apex, S3 the longest (Fig. 17).

Abdomen. Pelta weakly reticulate, tall hat-shaped (Fig. 16); abdominal tergites II–VIII with two pairs of wing-retaining setae (Figs 16, 21); S1–S3 on tergite IX shorter than tube, S1 shorter than S2, blunt at apex, S3 the shortest, pointed at apex, accessory setae between S1 and S2 elongate, but shorter than S1 (Fig. 21); tube about 0.6 times as long as head, anal setae much shorter than tube.

Measurements (holotype female in μm). Body length 1975. Head length 190, width just behind eyes 200, width at base 160; eye length 80, postocular setae length 60. Antenna length 435, segments I–VIII length (widest) 35(35), 45(30), 55(30), 70(30), 60(25), 60(20), 45(20) and 30(10), sensoria on segment III length 25. Fore wing length 860, subbasal setae length, S1 50, S2 60, S3 85. Pronotum length 125, width 255, length of pronotal setae, am 10, aa 10, ml 20, epim 65, pa 60. Pelta length 95, width at apex 50, width at base 125; tergite IX posteromarginal setae S1–S3, 90, 100, 80, accessorial setae length 55; tube length 130, basal width 65, apical width 40; anal setae length 80.

Male macroptera . Similar to female; abdominal tergite IX setae S2 longer than S1 (unusual among Phlaeothripinae, accessory setae between S1 and S2 elongate, but shorter than S1.

Measurements (paratype male in μm). Body length 1450. Head length 155, width just behind eyes 170, width at base 125; eye length 70, postocular setae length 50. Antenna length 350, segments I–VIII length (widest) 30(30), 40(20), 55(25), 65(25), 55(20), 50(15), 35(15) and 25(10), sensoria on segment III length 30. Fore wing length 660, subbasal setae length, S1 40, S2 50, S3 60. Pronotum length 95, width 200, length of pronotal setae, am 5, aa 5, ml 35, epim 55, pa 45. Pelta length 65, width at apex 40, width at base 90; tergite IX posteromarginal setae S1–S3, 75, 85, 80, accessorial setae length 40; tube length 100, basal width 50, apical width 25; anal setae length 55.

This species name is composed of two Latin words, tri and setae, based on its pronotum with three pairs of well-developed setae expanded at apex.

This new species is similar to P. karnyi and P. niger in having the body uniformly brown, but it can easily be distinguished by having three pairs of well developed and expanded setae on the pronotum (Fig. 9). This condition also occurs in P. bispinosus, but it can be distinguished by the short and pointed postocellar setae (Fig. 9), in contrast to the long and expanded ones in P. bispinosus.