Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Body and legs yellow with faint brown markings, tergite X brown; antennal segments VI–VIII brown, V light brown; fore wings pale distally, basal half including clavus light brown. Antennae 8-segmented, segment I without paired dorso-apical setae, III–IV with simple sensorium. Head projecting slightly in front of large eyes, cheeks narrowed to base; ocellar setae I wide apart, III longer than side of triangle, arising between posterior margins of posterior ocelli; maxillary palps 3-segmented. Pronotum slightly wider at posterior than anterior, with many transverse lines; 2 pairs of posteroangular setae, the inner longer than the outer pair; 4 pairs of posteromarginal setae. Metanotum with linear reticulation medially, median setae at anterior margin, no campaniform sensilla. Prosternal fernal narrowly complete; basantra with one pair of setae; Meso and metafurca without spinula. Fore wing slender, first vein with 2 widely spaced setae on distal half; second vein with 6 widely spaced setae; clavus with 4 veinal but no discal setae; posteromarginal cilia strongly wavy. Tergite I with craspedum small medially but strongly toothed laterally; II–VIII with broad craspedum, finely toothed medially but strongly toothed laterally; tergites with weak reticulation across median area; tergite X with complete longitudinal split. Sternites III–VII with 6–8 discal setae, marginal craspedum short medially but strongly toothed laterally.

Male not known.

Related and similar species

The genus Monothrips includes two species, both of which are known only from macropterous females. These species share character states with the apterous species of Caprithrips, but the most closely related genus is probably Masamithrips, despite the presence of a toothed craspedum on the abdominal sternites. M. flavus differs from M. cuspis in having an incomplete craspedum on sternites II–VI.

Distribution data

General distribution

Papua New Guinea, Australia.

Australian distribution

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia.

Biological data

Life history

Feeding and breeding on leaves.

Host plants

Native grasses (Poaceae).

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Monothrips flavus Moulton

Original name and synonyms

• Monothrips flavus Moulton, 1940: 246

References

Mound LA. 2011. Grass-dependent Thysanoptera of the family Thripidae from Australia. Zootaxa 3064: 1–40. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt03064p040.pdf