Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Body brown, tarsi yellow; antennal segment III light brown with pedicel yellow; fore wings light brown. Antennae 8-segmented; segment II with apical external margin prolonged into tooth, III–IV with forked sense cone. Head longer than wide, projecting in front of eyes; only 2 pairs of ocellar setae present, pair III anterolateral to triangle and scarcely longer than distance between two ocelli; postocular setae small. Pronotum with 1 pair of long posteroangular setae, posterior margin with 3 pairs of setae. Metanotum irregularly reticulate, campaniform sensilla present, median setae arise behind anterior margin. Meso- and metafurca without spinula. Fore wing first vein with 2 setae on distal half, second vein with about 9 setae. Tergites reticulate medially, paired campaniform sensilla close to posterior margin, craspedum not developed; tergite IX with 1 pair of stout thorn-like setae. Sternites II–VII with 12–16 discal setae, without craspeda.
Male not known in Australia.

Related species

Females of the genus Limothrips are characterised by the presence of a pair of unusually stout setae on the ninth tergite. Eight species are listed in this European genus, although two are of doubtful validity. Three species are now widespread around the world in temperate areas, and all three have been found in southern areas of Australia. L. angulicornis is recognised by antennal segment II being prolonged into a lateral tooth.

Biological data

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

Distribution data

Widespread in Europe, south to Israel, also North America and Australia (Victoria, Western Australia).

Family name

THRIPIDAE - THRIPINAE

Species name

Limothrips angulicornis Jablonowski

Original name and synonyms

Limothrips angulicornis Jablonowski, 1894: 45
Limothrips setariae Jones, 1912: 8.

References

zur Strassen R (2003) Die terebranten Thysanopteren Europas und des Mittelmeer-Gebietes. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands 74: 1–271.