Generic diagnosis

Large, dark macropterous Phlaeothripinae. Head with cheeks convex, narrowing to base, with one pair of small, stout setae; post-occipital ridge with paired tubercles; eyes longer dorsally than ventrally; postocular setae acute, arising laterally; maxillary stylets retracted to compound eyes, about one fifth of head width apart, maxillary bridge present. Antennae 8-segmented, III and IV each with 3 sense cones. Pronotum smooth with median longitudinal apodeme; notopleural sutures complete, posteroangular and epimeral setae long and acute. Prosternal basantra not developed but chitinous islets exceptionally large; ferna small, mesopresternum reduced to two lateral triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures long. Metanotum weakly reticulate. Fore tarsus with large forwardly directed, slightly bifid, tooth; fore tibia with tubercle at inner apex; fore femur swollen. Fore wing parallel-sided, with about 10 duplicated cilia; sub-basal seta I minute, II about half as long as III. Pelta almost quadrate; tergites II–VII with 2 pairs of rather weak wing-retaining setae, on VII short and almost straight; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 with apex blunt, as long as tube in both sexes, S3 shorter and acute; tube about twice as long as tergite IX, anal setae dark and twice as long as tube. Male similar to female, without pore plate on sternite VIII.

Nomenclatural data

Glaridothrips Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 192. Type species Glaridothrips koptus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004, by monotypy.

There is only one species described in this genus.

Australian species
Glaridothrips koptus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 192

Relationship data

Despite the structural differences this genus is probably related to Koptothrips and Xaniothrips.

Distribution data

Found in the semi-arid areas of Queensland, Australia.

Biological data

Apparently a kleptoparasite invading domiciles created by other Phlaeothripinae on phyllodes of Acacia aneura, and possibly other 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.