Generic diagnosis

Small, black apterous Phlaeothripinae with numerous white waxy dots. Head without ocelli and postocular setae; vertex strongly reticulate, with 2 longitudinal rows of expanded setae; compound eyes smaller ventrally than dorsally; maxillary stylets retracted at least half-way into head; mouth cone sometimes extending to metasternum. Antennae 8-segmented, II strongly asymmetric; III with no sense cone, pedicel surrounded by broad flange; IV with one sense cone ventrally; VI–VIII closely joined. Pronotum strongly sculptured, with four longitudinal rows of expanded setae. Prosternal basantra and mesopresternum not developed; mesoeusternal anterior margin eroded; metathoracic sternopleural sutures sometimes broad. Meso- and metanota transverse, with 2 rows of expanded setae. Legs short, with numerous stout setae dorsally, fore tarsus without tooth in both sexes. Pelta broad, closely approximated to tergite II; tergites with irregular transverse row of expanded discal setae, also 5 pairs of posteromarginal setae; tube shorter than tergite IX, anal setae short. Male smaller than female, sternite VIII without pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Corroboreethrips Mound & Moritz, 2000: 710. Type species Corroboreethrips kallus Mound & Moritz 2000, by original designation

There are five species described in this genus.

Australian species
Corroboreethrips kallus Mound & Moritz, 2000: 712
Corroboreethrips siagonus Mound & Moritz, 2000: 712
Corroboreethrips stomius Mound & Moritz, 2000: 713
Corroboreethrips subsolanus Mound & Moritz, 2000: 714
Corroboreethrips suspectus Mound & Moritz, 2000: 714

Relationship data

The genus is considered a member of the Rhopalothripoides suite of Phlaeothripinae genera that are found on Acacia trees in Australia.

Distribution data

This genus is known only from Australia, and is widespread across the arid and semi-arid zones.

Biological data

Presumably phytophagous, living under the curling bark of young twigs on various Acacia species.

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 & Moritz G (2000) Corroboreethrips; a new genus of minute apterous thrips (Insecta, Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) from the bark of Australian Acacia trees. Invertebrate Taxonomy 14: 709–716.