Generic diagnosis

Female macropterous. Head wider than long, with median transverse ridge; ocellar setae pair I arranged one in front of the other; setae III shorter than diameter of an ocellus; eyes without pigmented facets; six pairs of postocular setae not in a regular row. Antennae 8-segmented; segment I without paired dorso-apical setae; III and IV slender, with forked sense-cones; II with microtrichia on dorsal surface, III–VI with many microtrichia on both surfaces. Pronotum with two pairs of posteroangular setae, three pairs of posteromarginal setae. Mesonotum transversely reticulate, median setae in front of posterior margin; anterior campaniform sensilla present. Metanotum with equiangular reticulation, median setae at anterior margin; paired campaniform sensilla near posterior margin. Fore wing first vein with wide gap in setal row, three setae on distal half; second vein with complete row of setae; clavus with five veinal and one discal setae. Prosternal ferna weakly complete; basantra membranous, without setae; prospinasternum broad and transverse. Mesosternum with sternopleural sutures complete; endofurca with spinula. Metasternal endofurca without spinula. Tarsi 2-segmented. Tergites without ctenidia or craspeda; setae S1 small and wide apart; VIII with group of microtrichia anterior to spiracle, posterior margin with regular comb of long microtrichia; IX with anterior campaniform sensilla present, MD setae long; X with split almost complete. Sternites III–VII with three pairs of long marginal setae, II with two pairs; no discal setae or craspeda.
Male similar to female; tergite IX with three pairs of stout thorn-like setae; sternites without pore plates.

Biological data

The type species of this genus is known as the tea flower thrips, and is widely associated with the flowers of Thea sinensis [Theaceae].

Distribution data

Of the four species placed in this genus, one is from West Africa, one from New Guinea, one apparently only from India; the fourth is the type species of the genus and is widespread from northern India to Java and southern China and Taiwan (Wang, 2002).

Nomenclatural data

Taeniothrips (Lefroyothrips) Priesner, 1938: 499. Type species Physothrips lefroyi Bagnall 1913, by original designation.

Four species are recognised in this genus (ThripsWiki, 2020), and one of these is widespread in China:

lefroyi (Bagnall, 1913: 292). (Physothrips)

Relationship data

Thripidae sub-family Thripinae: this is a diverse group involving more than 230 genera. Despite the presence of ocellar setae pair I, the presence of a strong transverse ridge on the head, and the absence of pore plates in males, this genus is possibly related to Taeniothrips.

References

ThripsWiki (2020). ThripsWiki - providing information on the World's thrips. <http://thrips.info/wiki/Main_Page>

Wang CL (2002) Thrips of Taiwan: Biology and Taxonomy. Special publication 99: 1–328. Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taichung.