Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macropterous. Body femora and tibiae brown, tarsi variably paler; antennal segments III–IV clear yellow, V brownish yellow, VI–IX brown; fore wing apparently without brown marking at base or on clavus, median brown area longer than wing width, costa weakly shaded around distal pale area, apex with oblique brown area.

Head with postocular region as long as eye length; distal maxillary palp segment subdivided. Antennae 9-segmented, sensorium on III–IV with weak internal markings, extending to basal half of segment; V–VI with sensorium base elongate. Mesonotum with up to 5 pairs of accessory setae medially. Metanotum with small equiangular reticles medially, with internal dot-like markings. Abdominal tergite I with transverse reticulate lines; trichobothria on X no larger than base of major setae on X. Sternites with 4 or 5 pairs of small marginal setae, III–VII with transverse band of at least 20 small discal setae.

Male similar to female but smaller, fore femora paler; antennal sensoria slightly shorter. Abdominal tergite I with two longitudinal ridges. Sternites with 4 pairs of marginal setae and transverse row of discal setae; sternite IX with 4–6 discal setae.

Related and similar species

The genus Desmothrips is known only from Australia, with 18 described species (Pereyra & Mound, 2010). D. barrowi is unusual in having antennal segment IV as well as segment III clear yellow, and the base of the forewing apparently lacks any dark marking.

Distribution data

General distribution

Known only from Australia

Australian distribution

Known only from Barrow Island, off the north-west coast of Western Australia

Biological data

Host plants

Beaten from unidentified vegetation.

Life history

Nothing is known of the biology of this species

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Desmothrips barrowi Pereyra & Mound

Original name and synonyms

Desmothrips barrowi Pereyra & Mound, 2010