Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Head and thorax brown, abdomen largely golden with median area of some tergites darker and IX–X brown; tarsi and antennal segment III yellow; fore wings pale. Antennae 8-segmented; segment I with paired dorso-apical setae, II with external apical margin pointed; segments III–IV with forked sense cone; V with base of sense cone small and oval; VI with base of sensorium oval and expanded. Head wider than long; 3 pairs of ocellar setae present; pair III anterior to hind ocelli, about as long as side of ocellar triangle; postocular setae small, close to posterior margin of eyes. Pronotum lacking sculpture, with 1 pair of long posteroangular setae; posterior margin with 4 pairs of setae. Fore tibia with 2 recurved tubercles at apex, ventrally and laterally; mid tibia with small apical tubercle. Metanotum reticulate, campaniform sensilla present; median setae long, arise at anterior margin. Mesofurca with spinula. Fore wing first vein with incomplete row of setae; clavus with 5–6 veinal setae and one discal seta. Sculpture extending fully across tergites; VIII with group of irregular microtrichia anterior to spiracle, posteromarginal comb represented by several microtrichia laterally. Sternites without discal setae, with conspicuous sculpture; VII with median setae arising in front of margin; ovipositor short, not extending to apex of abdomen.
Male macroptera. Smaller than female, body more uniformly brown, antennal II almost symmetric; mid tibia with two small apical tubercles; tergites IV–VII with lines of sculpture between median pair of setae; IX with median process bifurcate at apex and extending to apex of abdomen; sternites without pore plates, VI–VII with no lobe on posterior margin.

Related species

Odontothripiella is an Australian genus that currently includes 18 described species, with several more undescribed species also known. The genus shares many character states with Megalurothrips, in particular the presence of a pair of small setae dorsally at the apical margin of the first antennal segment. O. compta females are unique in having antennal segment II asymmetric, extensive sculpture on the sternites, and an unusually short ovipositor.

Biological data

Feeding and breeding in the florets of the native grasses, Stipa and Themeda spp. [Poaceae].

Distribution data

Known only from Australia, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania.

Family name

THRIPIDAE - THRIPINAE

Species name

Odontothripiella compta Pitkin

Original name and synonyms

Odontothripiella compta Pitkin, 1972: 275.

References

Pitkin BR (1972) A revision of the Australian genus Odontothripiella Bagnall, with descriptions of fourteen new species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 11: 265–289.