Distinguishing features

Female macroptera. Body brown; all tarsi and antennal segment III yellow, tibiae largely yellow, IV yellow at base; fore wings pale with brown transverse band medially. Antennae 8-segmented; segment I with paired dorso-apical setae; segments III–IV with apex forming distinct neck, sense cone forked; V with sense cone base oval, VI with sensorium base expanded. Head about as long as wide; 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 with 1 pair of long posteroangular setae; posterior margin with 4 pairs of setae. Fore tibia with two recurved tubercles at apex, ventrally and laterally. Metanotum reticulate, campaniform sensilla present; median setae arise at anterior margin. Mesofurca with spinula. Fore wing first and second veins with complete row of setae; clavus with 5 veinal setae and one discal seta. Tergites IV–VI with sculpture lines not extending mesad of campaniform sensilla; VIII with group of irregular microtrichia anterior to spiracle, posteromarginal comb represented by several microtrichia laterally. Sternites without discal setae, VII with median setae arising in front of margin.
Male macroptera. Similar to female but smaller; tergites II–V without sculpture lines medially but VI–VII with lines; tergie IX posterior margin with pair of short stout process; sternites without pore plates, VI–VII with lobe medially on posterior margin.

Related species

Odontothripiella moundi is one of only two known species in this genus that have pale fore wings with a dark transverse marking. It differs from O. fasciatipennis in having yellow tibiae, and in the structure of the processes on the posterior margin of the ninth tergite. This 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.

Biological data

Probably breeding in the flowers of some species of Fabaceae, but known only from adults taken onLeptospermum [Myrtaceae].

Distribution data

Known only from Western Australia.

Family name

THRIPIDAE - THRIPINAE

Species name

Odontothripiella moundi Pitkin

Original name and synonyms

Odontothripiella moundi Pitkin, 1972: 284.

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.