Generic diagnosis

Macropterous Phlaeothripinae, Haplothripini, with mesoeusternum bearing a group of setae medially. Head with vertex reticulate, maxillary stylets about one-third of head width apart, maxillary bridge present; postocular setae capitate, longer than eye length. Antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 1 sense cone, IV with 4 sense cones, V–VII with pedicel parallel-sided, VIII broad at base. Pronotum transverse, with 5 pairs of capitate setae (anteromarginals sometimes shorter and pointed), notopleural sutures complete or very weakly incomplete. Prosternal basantra well-developed, ferna abutting medially, mesopresternum broadly boat-shaped; anterior margin of mesoeusternum slightly concave, with pale oval area medially bearing 4–6 stout pale setae; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent, metasternum sometimes with several long pale setae medially. Mesonotal lateral setae minute; metanotum weakly reticulate, median setae slender and acute. Fore tarsus of female without a tooth. Fore wing weakly constricted medially, duplicated cilia absent; sub-basal setae long and capitate. Pelta with paired campaniform sensilla; tergites II–VII with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae, anterior pair on each tergite weakly developed; lateral paired setae on tergites long and capitate; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 with apices weakly expanded; tube shorter than head, anal setae shorter than tube. Male with tergite IX setae S2 as long as setae S1; sternite VIII with no pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Giraultithrips Mound & Tree, 2014: 205. Type species Bagnalliella nigricoxa Girault, 1929, by monotypy.

Only one species is placed in this genus.

Australian species
Giraultithrips nigricoxa (Girault, 1929: 3)

Relationship data

Despite the reticulate sculpture on the head and the remarkable structure of the mesoeusternum anterior margin, this species shares most character states with members of the Tribe Haplothripini in the Phlaeothripinae.

Distribution data

Found infrequently in eastern Australia, including Norfolk Island.

Biological data

Found on dead branches, and presumably fungus-feeding.

References

Mound, LA & Tree, DJ (2014) Generic relationships of two obscure Australian Thysanoptera species described by A.A. Girault. The Australian Entomologist 41 (4):205–210.