STUDIES ON THYSANOPTERA OF N. E. INDIA-3 TUBULIFERA FROM TRIPURA

A comprehensive knowledge of the Thysanoptera fauna of North Eastern India appears to be essential in view of the peculiar terrains as well as the nature of vegetation. In two earlier papers (Sen & Muraleedharan, 1977; Muraleedharan & Sen 1978) some attempts were made to present an idea of the gall thrips of Assam and Meghalaya. til Information provided here is based on a collection of Tubulifera made from Tripura during a faunistic survey conducted during September and October 1977. Tripura is situated between latitudes 22° 24°5' N and longitudes 910 2' -920 5'E spread in an area of 10477 sq. km. There are seven hill ranges running from North to South and the hill slopes are dense forests mainly consisting of Bamboo and Sal trees, with lot of undergrowth. Collections were mainly made in and around Belonia, Paratia, Amarpur, Teliamura, Ambasa, and Kailashahar (Text-fig. 1). All specimens are deposited in the National Collection at the Zoological Suriey of India, Calcutta. All measurements in microns unless otherwise mentioned.


INTRODUCTION
A comprehensive knowledge of the Thysanoptera fauna of North Eastern India appears to be essential in view of the peculiar terrains as well as the nature of vegetation. In two earlier papers (Sen & Muraleedharan, 1977;Muraleedharan & Sen 1978) some attempts were made to present an idea of the gall thrips of Assam and Meghalaya.
til Information provided here is based on a collection of Tubulifera made from Tripura during a faunistic survey conducted during September and October 1977. Tripura is situated between latitudes 22° -24°5' N and longitudes 91 0 2' -920 5'E spread in an area of 10477 sq. km. There are seven hill ranges running from North to South and the hill slopes are dense forests mainly consisting of Bamboo and Sal trees, with lot of undergrowth.
Collections were mainly made in and around Belonia, Paratia, Amarpur, Teliamura, Ambasa, and Kailashahar (Text- fig. 1). All specimens are deposited in the National Collection at the Zoological Suriey of India, Calcutta. All measurements in microns unless otherwise mentioned.

Records of the Zoological Survey of India
This species closely resembles the preceding species, Liothrips inJre-quens in general appearance but differs by the infumate wings, longer head, anteroangulars longer than anteromarginals, epimerals longer than postoculars. Liothrip8 himalayanu8 Anan. also shows ~ome similarity to the new species by the elongate head, long setae and colouration of legs, but differs from the latter by the incomplete mesopraesternum, colouration of setae and terminal antennal segments. Liothrips inlrequens appears to be closely related to L. clarus in general colouration, nature of setae and incomplete mesopraesternum but differs by shorter head and more pointed mouthcone. In general appearence this species shows some similarities to L. hradecencis Uzel also but the latter is characterised by much shorter head, postocul ars shortar than eyes and clear forewings.   The new species approaches L. mucronis Ananthakrishnan & Jagadish in general appearance, nature of setae and mesopraesternum but can be differentiated by shorter head, very long and pointed mouthcone, anteromarginals longer than anteroangulars and epimerals longer than posteroangulars. Mesothrips acutus very closely resembles M. extensivus Anan. & Jag. in colouration of legs pronotal chaetotaxy, number of double fringes and nature of mouthcone but differs by the colouration of antennae, . maxillary stylets oculad and much shorter head. jtl. elaeocarpi Ananthakrishnan also shows similar colour pattern of legs and antennae but the present species can be easily distinguished by shorter head, maxillary stylets oculad and lesser number of double fringes of forewings.

Records of the Zoological
14. Mesothrips ambasensis sp. nov.  The new species appears to be closely allied to M. acutu,s but can be distinguished by maxillary stylets placed a little above mouthcone and mesopraesternum as two pieces. Mesotkrips moundi Anan. has also clear wings, mesopraesternum as two sclerites, and antennal colour same as that of M. ambasensis but the latter differs from M. mound;' by maxillary stylets placed slightly above mouthcone and intermediate antennal segments elongate.