OzThrips

Thysanoptera in Australia

Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macropterous. Body and legs brown, fore tarsi and apex of fore tibiae paler; antennal segment III yellow, usually shaded brown only near extreme apex, IV–IX brown; fore wing brown at extreme base but clavus apparently clear, median brown area continuous along posterior margin of distal pale area which is thus usually not transverse, costal vein dark.

Head with postocular region as long as eye length; distal maxillary palp segment subdivided. Antennae 9-segmented, III–IV with sensorium curving around apex, weakly sinuous and extending to basal third of segment, without internal markings. Mesonotum with 3 or 4 pairs of accessory setae medially. Metanotal reticles with internal dot-like markings. Abdominal tergite I with transverse reticulate lines anteromedially; trichobothria on X no larger than base of major setae on X. Sternites with 4 pairs of marginal setae, about 8 pairs of discal setae mainly laterally but also sometimes medially, including medially on VII.

Male similar to female but smaller, antennal segment III more extensively shaded. Abdominal tergite I with two longitudinal ridges. Sternites with discal setae in transverse row, in two irregular transverse rows on IX.

Related and similar species

The genus Desmothrips is known only from Australia, with 18 described species (Pereyra & Mound, 2010). D. propinquus is a member of the D. australis complex. It is similar in appearance to D. bagnalli in having the costal vein dark around the forewing distal pale area, but it lacks discoidal markings within the antennal sensoria.

Distribution data

General distribution

Known only from Australia

Australian distribution

This is the most widespread and abundant species in the genus, having been taken widely in all States and Territories, including Tasmania.

Biological data

Host plants

Collected from a wide variety of flowers in different families.

Life history

Although flower-living this species is possibly also predatory on other thrips in flowers

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Desmothrips propinquus (Bagnall)

Original name and synonyms

Orothrips propinquus Bagnall, 1916
Desmothrips elegans Morison, 1930

Oz thrips taxa