Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female aptera. Body and legs yellow, antennal segments VI–VIII pale brown. Antennae 8-segmented; segment I without dorsoapical setae; III–IV with small simple sensorium. Head projecting in front of eyes; ocelli not developed; 3 pairs of ocellar setae, pair III close to compound eyes. Maxillary palps 2-segmented. Pronotum wider at posterior than anterior, without long posteroangular setae. Mesonotal-metanotal transverse suture incomplete medially; metanotal campaniform sensilla absent. Prosternal ferna oval, basnatra with 2 pairs of setae. Tergites I–VIII with almost smooth craspedum; tergite IX medio-dorsal setae extend beyond posterior margin of tergite. Sternites III–VII with about 6 small discal setae close to posterior margin; craspedum broadly lobed between marginal setae, absent medially on VII.

Male not known.

Related and similar species

The genus Caprithrips includes 6 species, from various parts of the world. They are all wingless grass-lliving species, and a key to these is provided by Bhatti (1980). C. orientalis has 8-segmented antennae, but unlike C. moundi the sternites have broadly lobed craspeda on their posterior margins.

Distribution data

General distribution

India, Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia.

Australian distribution

Queensland.

Biological data

Life history

Feeding and breeding on leaves.

Host plants

Grasses (Poaceae).

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Caprithrips orientalis Bhatti

Original name and synonyms

• Caprithrips orientalis Bhatti, 1973: 478

References

Bhatti JS. 1980. Revision of the genus Caprithrips with descriptions of two new species from India and Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 28: 161-171.

Mound LA & Tree DJ. 2007. Oriental and Pacific Thripidae (Thysanoptera) new to Australia, with a new species of Pseudodendrothrips Schmutz. Australian Entomologist 34: 7-14.