A new ectoparasitic Aulacothrips (Thysanoptera: Heterothripidae) from Amazon rainforest and the significance of variation in antennal sensoria

Author(s)

Cavalleri, Adriano ; Kaminski, Lucas A. ; Mendonca, Milton S., Jr.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Zootaxa; v. N/A, n. 3438, p. 7-pg., 2012-08-24.

Abstract

Aulacothrips amazonicus sp.n. is described from Northern Brazil, with larvae and adults ectoparasitic on ant-tended Membracidae (Hemiptera) on Solanum shrubs. This new taxon differs from its congeners by (i) body distinctively paler; (ii) sensoria on antennal segments III & IV much less convoluted; (iii) male tergite IX posterior margin straight and with several long and stout setae. The possible biological significance of interspecific differences in antennal sensoria among Aulacothrips species is discussed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/51340-8 - Symbiotic interactions between butterfly larvae and ants: natural history, morphology and patterns in host plants use
• Grantee: Lucas Augusto Kaminski
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 11/50225-3 - Natural history, phylogeny and conservation of Neotropical Lepidoptera
• Grantee: André Victor Lucci Freitas
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants