Holopothrips Hood is a Neotropical genus of 30 described species (Mound 2007). Several species are known to induce leaf deformation, or even galls, on the leaves of their host plants (Cavalleri & Kaminski 2007). Mound & Marullo (1996) provided an identification key to more than 30 species. Described species show a considerable range of structural differences, and high morphological variability within groups has resulted in five described genera being synonymized (Mound & Marullo 1996).

This paper describes a new species of Holopothrips, first recorded from Puerto Rico in 2006 (Cabrera et al., in press). This thrips is possibly widespread in the northern Caribbean, having been taken from at least 2 species of Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae), in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Hispaniola. Adults and larvae feed on very young foliage, inducing obvious gall-like deformations (Figs. 1 and 2), which become more noticeable as infested leaves mature. All life stages of the new Holopothrips species coexist within galled leaves. Anecdotally, attack severity seems more prevalent in humid districts in Puerto Rico. Also, Tabebuia heterophylla (D.C.) Britton shows the highest infestation when compared with other surveyed trumpet tree species (Cabrera et al., in press). These authors also found Montandoniola moraguezi Puton (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) predating on Holopothrips tabebuia n.sp. Similar predation of Holopothrips sp. by M. moraquezi was observed by Dobbs & Boyd (2006).

Holopothrips tabebuia, new species

Female Macroptera. Body bicolored, mainly yellow to brownish yellow with head and pterothorax light brown, and abdominal segments VIII-X dark brown (Fig. 3); antennal segments I - II light brown, III-VIII yellow (Fig. 4); legs yellow; forewings uniformly pale; major setae pale except dark anal setae.

Head slightly longer than wide; 1 pair of major capitate postocular setae, arising behind inner margin of eyes; maxillary stylets retracted to postocular setae (Fig. 5), about one third of head width apart medially; mouth cone rounded, not extending beyond fore coxae. Antennae 8-segmented, segments III and IV with 3 sensoria, V and VI with 2 sensoria; VIII slender. Pronotum transverse, epimeral sutures incomplete; only 1 pair of epimeral setae, all 5 pairs of major setae capitate (Fig. 6). Fore tarsus without a tooth. Metanotum with longitudinal narrow reticulation, almost striate; 1 or more pairs of small setae present anterior to median major setae (Fig. 7). Forewing parallel sided, with 10 duplicated cilia present posteriorly on distal end of forewing; 3 capitate sub-basal setae arising in a straight line. Pelta reticulate, 1 pair of campaniform sensilla close to posterior margin (Fig. 8). Segment IX with a swollen S-shaped spermatheca (Fig. 9). Tergites II-VII each with an additional almost straight seta anterior to paired sigmoid wing-retaining setae (Fig. 10). Tergite IX setae S1 and S2 blunt to weakly capitate; S1 about as long as tube, S2 longer; S3 finely acute; tube much shorter than head.

Measurements (holotype female in microns). Body length 2425. Head, length 275; width 255; major postocular setae 50. Pronotum, length 180; median width 360; major setae, anteromarginal (am) seta 20, anteroangular (aa) seta 35, ml 50, epimeral (epim) 76, posteroangular seta (pa) 55. Forewing, length 800; sub-basal setae 35-40. Abdominal tergite IX setae S1 (155) , S2 (165), S3 (152.5); tube length 170. Antennal segments I-VIII length 35, 40, 60, 35, 50, 45, 45, 30.

Male Macroptera. Similar to female but slightly smaller; without fore tarsal tooth. Abdominal sternites VII-VIII each with 3 glandular areas, 1 close to posterior margin and 2 anterolateral to row of discal setae (Fig. 11); on segment VIII the posterior glandular area is prolonged laterally onto the tergite and extends to tergal marginal setae S1 (Fig. 12); tergite IX setae S2 slightly longer than S1.

Measurements (paratype male in microns). Body length 2100. Head, length 225; width 215; major postocular setae 35. Pronotum, length 163; median width 285, major setae, am 20, aa 27.5, ml 40, epim 55, pa 40. Forewing length 750; sub-basal setae 30-35. Abdominal tergite IX setae S1 (142.5), S2 (147.5); tube length 160. Antennal segments I-VIII length same as holotype.

Material Studied

Holotype female, Puerto Rico, Toa Alta, from distorted leaf of T. heterophylla, 12.ix.2006 (S. Cruz), deposited in Museum of Entomology and Tropical Biodiversity (METB) Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (PR. Acc. No. 07-2007). Paratypes: Seven females and 6 males. Four females on T. heterophylla from San Juan, P.R. 6.vii.2007 (S. Cruz), 2 females collected with holotype, and 1 female Arecibo, P.R. 20.vii.2007 (S. Cruz). Four males from Cayey, P.R. 20.ix.2007, (I. Cabrera), and 2 males collected with holotype. One female and 1 male from Toa Alta, P.R. in collection of L. A. Mound, Australia; 2 females (San Juan) and 2 males (Cayey) in USNM, Washington, D.C. Four females and 3 males deposited with holotype at METB.

Other Material Examined: Dominican Republic: Two females and 2 males, all from Tabebuia sp. and deposited at METB. U.S.A., Florida: Nine females and 3 males, 8 from Tabebuia sp., 1 from Amphitecna latifolia (P. Mill.) A. H. Gentry, 1 from Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) H.A.T. Harms, and 2 specimens of unknown hosts ; 2 of these specimens deposited at METB, the others deposited in the Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville, FL.