Distinguishing features

Female aptera. Body and legs yellow, antennal segment VI pale brown. Antennae 6-segmented (rarely 7); segment I without dorsoapical setae; III–IV with small simple sense cone. 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, incomplete medially; basantra with several pairs of setae. Tergites I–VIII with slightly toothed craspedum; tergite IX medio-dorsal setae long and stout, extending beyond posterior margin of tergite. Sternites II–VI with 6–8 discal setae close to posterior margin, lobed and toothed craspedum between marginal setae, but absent medially on VII.
Male aptera. Similar to female in colour and structure; tergite IX with pair of dark drepanae; sternites III–VIII with pore plate on antecostal area.

Related 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. insularis is one of two species that have 6-segmented antennae. whereas the other four species all have 8-segmented antennae. Despite this, in a few specimens of C. insularis the apex of the antenna has a seventh segment distinguishable.

Biological data

Feeding and breeding on the leaves of grasses [Poaceae].

Distribution data

Described originally from USA (Georgia), but recorded from Trinidad, Surinam, Kiribati, and Queensland, Australia.

Family name

THRIPIDAE - THRIPINAE

Species name

Caprithrips insularis Beshear

Original name and synonyms

Caprithrips insularis Beshear, 1975: 500.

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.