A New Species of Pseudophilothrips Johansen (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) from North America and Descriptive Notes on P. ichini (Hood), P. varicornis (Hood) and P. perseae (Watson)

The genus Pseudophilothrips harbors Liothrips-like species in which seta S2 on the ninth abdominal segment in males is as long as seta S1. Thirteen species are included in the genus, most of which are restricted to Central and South America. During a recent visit to North Chagrin Reservation in Mayfield Ohio a Liothrips-like thrips was observed on northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume) showing symptoms of decline. Evaluation of the insect showed it represents a new species, here described as Pseudophilothrips linderaphagos n. sp. This is the first member of Pseudophilothrips described from the USA. In addition to describing the new species, we provide descriptive notes for Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood), Pseudophilothrips perseae (Watson) and Pseudophilothrips varicornis (Hood). We also provide an identification key to all members of the genus Pseudophilothrips, short diagnoses for all species and present a hypothetical scenario of the origin of species groups.