Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macropterous. Body and legs brown; antennal segment III yellowish in basal half or two-thirds but brown distally, IV–IX brown; fore wing brown at base including base of clavus, with long median brown area and two clear transverse bands; distal transverse band almost paralel-sided with pale costal vein.

Head with postocular region as long as eye length; mouth cone long, distal maxillary palp segment subdivided. Antennae 9-segmented, III–IV with sensorium almost encircling apex, strongly undulating and extending to basal third of segment, without internal markings. Mesonotum with 2 or 3 pairs of accessory setae medially. Metanotal reticles with internal dot-like or linear markings. Abdominal tergite I medially almost without sculpture; trichobothria on X no larger than base of major setae on X. Sternites with 3 or 4 pairs of marginal setae, discal setae varying from 0 to 2 laterally but none medially.

Male similar to female but smaller. Abdominal tergite I with two longitudinal ridges. Sternites with 0 to 2 pairs of discal setae laterally, IX without discal setae.

Related and similar species

The genus Desmothrips is known only from Australia, with 18 described species (Pereyra & Mound, 2010). The sensoria on antennal segments III and IV in D. steeleae are long and strongly undulating, in contrast to the other species in the genus.

Distribution data

General distribution

Known only from Australia

Australian distribution

Widespread in eastern Australia, between Kangaroo Island and southeastern Queensland, but also recorded from Perth in Western Australia.

Biological data

Host plants

Apparently specific to the flowers of various species of Pultanaea (Fabaceae), including both low-growing and shrubby species.

Life history

Flower breeding, but probably predatory on other thrips in flowers.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Desmothrips steeleae Mound

Original name and synonyms

Desmothrips steeleae Mound, 1967