Generic diagnosis

Large macropterous Phlaeothripinae with an array of stout reddish abdominal setae. Head longer than wide or wider than long; genae with one pair of stout setae; maxillary stylets wide apart. Antennae 8-segmented, III & IV each with 3 sense cones; V & VI commonly with small sense cones ventrally at apex. Pronotum transverse, notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra not developed; ferna anterior margin usually transverse; mesopresternum varying; metathoracic sterno-pleural sutures long. Fore tarsal tooth absent in female, sometimes present in male. Fore wing sometimes very broad, distal cilia short, duplicated cilia present or absent. Tergal wing-retaining setae weakly sigmoid, straight on segments VI–VII, sometimes anterior pair straight on II–IV; at least segments VII–VIII of female with several pairs of exceptionally stout ventrolateral setae. Tube sometimes with 1 or 2 pairs of anal setae stout, apex of tube sometimes dorsoventrally asymmetric. Male sternite VIII without pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Xaniothrips Mound, 1971: 457. Type species Xaniothrips xantes Mound, 1971, by original designation.

There are seven species recognised in this Australian genus.

Australian species
Xaniothrips eremus Mound & Morris, 1999: 183
Xaniothrips foederatus Mound & Morris, 1999: 184
Xaniothrips leukandrus Mound, 1971: 461
Xaniothrips mulga Mound & Morris, 1999: 186
Xaniothrips rhodopus Mound & Morris, 1999: 186
Xaniothrips xantes Mound, 1971: 459
Xaniothrips zophus Mound & Morris, 1999: 187

Relationship data

Despite the obvious structural differences, molecular data has suggested this genus is related to Koptothrips, another genus of kleptoparasitic species.

Distribution data

This is an Australian genus that is found widely across the continent in the semi-arid zone.

Biological data

The members of this genus are all kleptoparasites, invading the nests or domiciles created by different thrips species that glue or sew together the phyllodes on various Acacia species. Adults have been observed using the abdomen as a weapon to disturb and evict the inhabitant thrips from their phyllode domiciles.

References

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.

Mound LA & Morris DC (1999) Abdominal armature in Xaniothrips species (Thysanoptera; Phlaeothripidae), kleptoparasites of domicile-producing thrips on Australian Acacia trees. Australian Journal of Entomology 38: 179–188.