Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macropterous; body and legs yellowish white, ocellar pigment red, compound eyes dark; distal antennal segments black; fore wing uniformly pale. Head with cheeks almost parallel, ocelli on small elevation. Antennae 8-segmented, III and IV with elongate forked sensorium, VIII three times as long as VII. Pronotum reticulate, with two pairs of prominent setae, anteromarginals and posteroangulars. Metanotum with distinct sculptured triangle, with one pair of setae arising near anterior margin. Fore wing slender, first vein with about six setae near base and two setae distally; second vein with two widely spaced setae; clavus with no discal eeta. Abdominal tergites with median setae minute; tergite VIII with long slender comb interrupted medially; X with no dorsal split; sternal marginal setae arise submarginally.

Male tergite IX with two pairs of spine-like setae followed by group of about six small tubercles; sternites III–VII with minute circular pore plate near anterior margin

Related and similar species

Only one species, A. tenuis, is currently recognised in this genus, described from Java but also studied recently from Thailand. A few damaged specimens that possibly represent a second species have been seen from Australia, Queensland, Cape Tribulation, in which the fourth antennal segment is shorter and entirely pale instead of largely black.

Distribution data

Aoratothrips tenuis is known from Java and Thailand. A few damaged specimens of both sexes collected from an unknown plant north of Cairns, Australia, may represent a separate species.

Biological data

Host plants

Not known

Life history

Presumably breeding on leaves

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Aoratothrips sp.

This Australian species has not yet been described and named.