Distinguishing features

Both sexes micropterous. Female brown; tarsi, distal half of middle and hind tibiae, and most of fore tibiae yellow; antennal segments III–VIII increasingly brown; major setae pale brown, anal setae darkest. Head longer than wide, weakly constricted at base, lacking sculpture; ocelli usually absent, but fore ocellus sometimes weakly developed; compound eyes larger dorsally than ventrally; postocular setae acute; maxillary stylets retracted to postocular setae; maxillary bridge about one-third of head width apart. Antennae 8-segmented; segments III and IV each with 2 sense cones. Pronotum elongate; setae acute, epimeral and posteroangular setae longest; basantra longer than wide. Mesonotum with lateral setae small; mesopresternum broadly boat-shaped. Metanotum almost devoid of sculpture; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present. Fore tibiae with a small, seta-bearing tubercle near inner apex. Fore wing lobe with a small seta. Pelta rounded at apex, faintly sculptured; tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of short, straight wing-retaining setae; tergite VII with an extra pair of submedian, submarginal setae; tergite VIII posteroangular and posteromarginal setae acute, shorter than tube; tube shorter than head; anal setae longer than tube.
Male similar to female, but slightly smaller; fore tarsal tooth slightly larger.

Related species

The genus Podothrips comprises 31 described species, mainly from the Old World tropics. In Australia, 11 species are recognised (Mound & Minaei, 2007), of which 10 are presumably endemic to that continent. Two species are known from New Zealand, both of them only from micropterae. The relationships of these two species are not clear (Mound & Walker, 1986), but orarius has only 2 sense cones on antennal segment IV whereas turangi has 3 sense cones on that segment.

Biological data

Collected from marram grass, this thrips is likely to be predatory on scale insects that live on Poaceae.

Distribution data

Known only from New Zealand (AK).

Family name

PHLAEOTHRIPIDAE, PHLAEOTHRIPINAE

Species name

Podothrips orarius Mound & Walker

Original name and synonyms

Podothrips orarius Mound & Walker, 1986: 71

References

Mound LA & Minaei K (2007) Australian insects of the Haplothrips lineage (Thysanoptera – Phlaeothripinae). Journal of Natural History 41: 2919–2978.

Mound LA & Walker AK (1986) Tubulifera (Insecta: Thysanoptera). Fauna of New Zealand 10: 1–140.