LIGHT-MICROSCOPIC SURFACE-SCANNING OF THE WINGS OF HAPLOTHRIPS CLARISETIS PRIESNER (TUBULIFERA, PHLAEOTHRIPIDAE)

Light microscopic surface scanning of the wings in Tubulifera provides important insights into the systematic and phylogenetic relationships both at the species and genus level. The use of this technique reveal s an astonishing array of structures. The present account deals with t he exsur pattern of the wings of Haplothrips clarisetis Priesner. The structure conforms to the basic Haplothrips-pattern, but details of th e structure show many peculiarities. The surface pattern shows importa nt differences from the two other species of this genus, ganglbaueri a nd gowdeyi, in which the exsur structure has been investigated so far. In clarisetis there is a much greater number of cellae across the dis tal laminal field. The cellae in the proximal laminal field are less d istinctly developed. The cellae, especially in the dlf, have prominent descending grooves, the corresponding bossae giving a characteristic stellate appearance. The cellar frames in the distal 1/5 of the hind w ing are extensively dissolved, so that the cellae can no longer be rec ognized as such. These findings highlight the need for more work on th ese lines in order to strengthen taxonomic inputs in Tubulifera.