Distinguishing features

Female macropterous; body colour variable, dark brown when fully mature, but commonly head and thorax brown, abdomen golden; tarsi and tibiae largely yellow; antennal segments I-VI yellow, apex of VI also VII–VIII brown; fore wing pale, extreme base sometimes brown. Head with cheeks slightly concave, sharply constricted at base. Antennae 8-segmented, III and IV with sensorium simple, arising in small depression; segment VI not constricted at base. Pronotum reticulate with no long setae. Mesonotum with complete median longitudinal division. Metanotum with distinct sculptured triangle, elevated posterolaterally. Fore wing major setae no longer than microtrichia; costa without cilia; wing apex with two long setae. Tergites strongly sculptured on lateral thirds; median setal pair about as long as distance between their bases; VIII with posteromarginal comb short but complete; setae on IX extend beyond apex of X; median split on X complete.
Male similar to female, setae on tergite IX not unusually stout; sternites without pore plates.

Related species

The genus Australothrips includes only two species, both from Australia. A. aliceae is closely similar in structure to the more widespread species A. bicolor, differing only in the shape of antennal segment III and the base of segment VI.

Biological data

Breeding on the leaves of Calytrix brownii [Myrtaceae]

Distribution data

Known only from Northern Australia

Family name

THRIPIDAE, PANCHAETOTHRIPINAE

Species name

Australothrips aliceae Marullo & Mound

Original name and synonyms

Australothrips aliceae Marullo & Mound, 1997: 223

References

Marullo R & Mound LA (1997) A second species of the genus Australothrips (Thysanoptera). Australian Journal of Entomology 36: 221–224.