Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Macropterous female, body brown, tarsi yellow, mid and hind tibiae yellow at base and apex; fore wing dark with base sharply pale. Head and pronotum with many setae. Antennae 8-segmented, sensoria on III and IV greatly inflated; VIII long and slender. Metanotal sculpture mainly linear, reticles with internal markings. Tergites with sculpture medially, lateral areas with many closely spaced parallel lines; VIII without a marginal comb; tergite X with pair of large trichobothria. Sternite VIII represented by paired lobes bearing two pairs of setae, almost fused to VII.

Related and similar species

Erotidothrips includes only a single species, and is one of only three genera in the Merothripidae.

Distribution data

Described from Congo, and subsequently recorded from Ivory Coast, Bali and Samoa, this species has also been seen from southern India, Singapore, and Australia (northeastern Queensland).

Biological data

Host plants

Fungus-feeding

Life history

Breeding on dead twigs and branches

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Erotidothrips mirabilis Priesner

Original name and synonyms

Erotidothrips mirabilis Priesner, 1939