Frankliniella species from India (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with a new generic synonym and an unusual new species

Frankliniella genus-group is one of the most important group in the sub-family Thripinae comprising, more than 270 species in nine genera. A morphological-based cladistic analysis of genus-level relationships within this group was performed, based on 54 morphological character states for 26 species, including Thrips physapus as an outgroup. This analysis recovered Pseudanaphothrips as monophyletic and sister-group to a group of five Old World genera: Firmothrips, Kakothrips, Parabaliothrips, Sitothrips and Yaobinthrips. It also showed a sister relationship between eight species of Poaceae-associated Old World species in Frankliniella plus Iridothrips, and a group of five New World species in Frankliniella and Guerothrips. As a result, Iridothrips is here considered a new synonym of Frankliniella, and Frankliniella insolitum sp. n. is described from northern India. A key to the six species of Frankliniella recorded from India is also provided. Images and notes of F. unicolor Morgan based on a paratype of the synonym F. andropogoni Moulton & Andre are also provided.

Automated summary

This study investigates the genus-level relationships within the Frankliniella genus-group using morphological character states. The results reveal the relationships between Pseudanaphothrips and Old World genera, as well as the relationships between Frankliniella and Guerothrips. A new species is also discovered and described, along with images and a key to the species.