OzThrips

Thysanoptera in Australia

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Macropterous, strongly bicoloured, dark brown with abdominal segments IV–VI clear yellow but antecostal ridge lightly shaded; posterior half of metathorax yellow, also median part of tergite I; tarsi yellow, also mid and hind tibiae; antennal segments I–III yellow, IV–V shaded at apex, VI–VIII pale brown; fore wing sub-basal area pale before dark band, distal half variably paler. Head with occipital carina close to eyes; ocellar triangle transversely reticulate/striate with markings between the main lines; ocellar setae III arise outside ocellar triangle; three pairs of postocular setae, median pair long; postoccipital area with closely spaced reticulate striations. Antennal segments III–IV with long apical neck. Pronotum anterior third transversely reticulate with markings inside reticles; blotch almost rectangular, with narrow transverse reticulation and markings between main striae. Metanotum with linear reticulation, many markings between main striae. Tergite I medially with no marginal microtrichia, II–VIII with complete microtrichiate posterior margin. Sternites with few or no discal microtrichia mesad of marginal setae S1; posterior margins with lobed craspeda bearing long microtrichia between each pair of marginal setae; sternite VII medially with neither discal nor marginal microtrichia, three pairs of setae arise sub-marginally; sternites VI–VII with 1 or 2 discal setae laterally.

Male similar to female, abdominal segment VII yellowish medially; sternites VI–VII with broadly oval pore plate.

Related and similar species

This species is similar in structure, with lobed sternal craspeda, to the three Australian Hydatothrips that are known to breed on vines of the family Apocynaceae

Distribution data

Rainforests of Eastern Australia

Biological data

Host plants

Not known, but probably an Apocynaceous vine

Life history

Presumably breeding on leaves

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Hydatothrips williamsi Mound & Tree

Original name and synonyms

  • Hydatothrips williamsi Mound & Tree, 2009

Oz thrips taxa