Paracholeothrips morrisi, Mound & Tree, 2025

Paracholeothrips morrisi sp. nov.

( Figs 2 View FIGURES 1–6 , 9 View FIGURES 7–12 , 13, 15 View FIGURES 13–21 )

Female macroptera. With the generic character states indicated above. Body mainly dark brown, pronotum brownish-yellow, tubercles on head yellow; antennal segment III mainly brownish-yellow, IV–VII brown with basal third decreasingly paler; major setae pale except dark brown anals; fore wing pale. Antennal segments III–IV with sense cones small, slender and curved ( Fig. 13 View FIGURES 13–21 ); segment VIII short and broadly joined to VII. Head with elongate tubercle laterally behind both eyes ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 1–6 ); postocular setae acute, shorter than postocular tubercles. Pronotum elongate, narrowed at apex, with median longitudinal ridge; epimeral and posteroangular setae long and slender, remaining major setae not longer than discal setae. Mesonotal median division complete ( Fig. 15 View FIGURES 13–21 ). Metanotum reticulate, but anteromedian triangular area less strongly reticulate. Prosternal basantra absent, ferna elongate with truncate apex ( Fig. 9 View FIGURES 7–12 ); mesopresternum of two small triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures short, scarcely extending beyond hind margin of coxal cavity. Fore tarsus with long and robust tooth, fore tibia inner apex with stout tubercle. Fore wing broad, parallel sided, with more than 20 duplicated cilia, terminal cilia short, sub-basal setae short. Pelta reticulate, wider than long; tergites II–V each with two pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae placed laterally, these setae weaker or absent on VI–VII; tergite IX setae long and pale, anal setae on X long and dark brown.

Measurements. ( Holotype female in microns) Body length 3900. Head, length 500; width across eyes 300; width to apex of tubercles 400; postocular setae (left/right) 75/30. Pronotum, length 550; width 550; epimeral setae (of paratype)125; posteroangular setae (of paratype) 150. Fore wing, length 1800; sub-basal setae 40–50. Tergite IX setae S1 230, S2 255; tube length 250. Antennal segments III-VIII length: 145; 115; 100; 95; 90; 35.

Specimens studied. Holotype female, Western Australia, Mullewa [ 400 km north of Perth], from Acacia ampliata ?, 24.ii.2004 (David Morris), in Australian National Insect Collection.

Paratype female, Western Australia, Paynes Find [ 420 km northeast of Perth], from Acacia minyura , 15.ii.2004 (David Morris) .

Comments. Although this species shares many character states with its congeners, the form of the head is unique. The most similar species is P. gracilis , particularly in the structure of the pronotum. Moreover, large females of gracilis also have a small tubercle behind each eye, but the fore tarsal tooth is much longer and more slender.