Generic diagnosis

Macropterous (rarely micropterous), usually black Phlaeothripinae. Head longer than wide; maxillary stylets retracted to eyes, parallel in middle of head (rarely crossing over each other); postocular setae usually well developed. Antennae 8-segmented, sense cones on III and IV unusually short, one on III, 3 on IV; V–VII usually asymmetric at base, ventral apex of V and VI often weakly prolonged. Pronotum transverse, antero-marginal setae usually absent; notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra not developed; mesopresternum sexually dimorphic, anterior margin of meso-eusternum much narrower in larger males than females; metathoracic sternopleural sutures long. Metanotum reticulate, reticles usually with internal markings; median setae slender. Fore tarsus with tooth in both sexes. Fore wing surface usually with faint complex reticulate pattern, duplicated cilia present. Pelta triangular with apex truncate, reticulate; tergites II–VI each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae, these reduced on VII; tergite IX setae S2 similar to S1 in both sexes; tube shorter than head. Male sternite VIII pore plate present but usually lateral and paired.

Nomenclatural data

Kellyia Bagnall, 1929: 188. Type species Teuchothrips hoodianus Bagnall 1924, by monotypy.

There are 13 species recognised in this Australian genus.

Australian species
Kellyia bagnalli Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 228
Kellyia biadenes Mound, 1971: 418
Kellyia froggatti Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 229
Kellyia giraulti Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 230
Kellyia hoodianus (Bagnall, 1924: 630)
Kellyia karnyi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 231
Kellyia milmani (Girault, 1927: 2)
Kellyia moultoni Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 232
Kellyia palmerae Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 233
Kellyia pitkini Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 234
Kellyia priesneri Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 234
Kellyia stannardi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 235
Kellyia wilsoni Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 236

Relationship data

This endemic genus is presumably derived within the Phlaeothripinae Liothrips-lineage that has radiated on Acacia trees in Australia. It shares many character states with Heligmothrips, but has the head longer than wide. The maxillary stylets are long but never convoluted and only rarely cross over each other.

Distribution data

This is an Australian endemic genus with species found widely across the continent mainly in the semi-arid zone. However, K. biadenes has also been recorded from New Caledonia (Bournier 1993).

Biological data

The species live on various Acacia species, breeding in abandoned tied phyllodes and phyllode mines created by Lepidoptera larvae.

References

Bournier A (1993) Thysanoptères gallicoles de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France 98: 357–366.

Crespi BJ, Morris DC & Mound LA (2004) Evolution of ecological and behavioural diversity: Australian Acacia thrips as model organisms. Australian Biological Resources Study & Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra, Australia, pp. 1–328.