Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female aptera. Body, legs and antennal segments I–III yellow, IV–V brown at apex, VI–VIII brown. Antennae 8-segmented; segment I without dorsoapical setae; III with curved simple sensorium, IV with forked sensorium. Head projecting in front of eyes, swollen over base of antennae; ocelli not developed; 3 pairs of ocellar setae, pair III small and close to compound eyes; two pairs of postocular setae, the median pair displaced toward posterior. Maxillary palps 3-segmented. Pronotum wider at posterior than anterior, with one pair of long posteroangular setae, one pair of posteromarginals. Mesonotum and metanotum transverse; metanotal campaniform sensilla absent. Tergites without craspedum, transverse reticulation extends across median area; campaniform sensilla close to posterior margin; tergite IX anterior campaniform sensilla present, medio-dorsal setae small and weak; marginal setae S1 and S2 stout but pale. Sternites without discal setae; median setae on VII at posterior margin.

Male aptera. Similar to female in colour and structure; tergite IX with 2 pairs of short thorn-like setae medially; sternites III–V with transverse pore plate, small and oval on VI.

Related and similar species

The genus Physemothrips includes two species, although P. hadrus from islands south of New Zealand is possibly merely a large form of P. chrysodermus from Macquarie Island. These species are not known from continental Australia or Tasmania.

Distribution data

General distribution

Auckland Islands (south of New Zealand), Macquarie Island.

Australian distribution

Macquarie Island.

Biological data

Life history

Feeding on leaves.

Host plants

Native grasses (Poaceae).

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Physemothrips chrysodermus Stannard

Original name and synonyms

• Physemothrips chrysodermus Stannard, 1962: 934

References

Mound LA & Walker AK. 1982. Terebrantia (Insecta: Thysanoptera). Fauna of New Zealand 1: 1-113.