Generic diagnosis

Small, dark, micropterous or macropterous Phlaeothripinae, with major setae capitate and moderately long. Head with mouth-cone extending across mesosternum; maxillary stylets retracted to eyes, close together medially. Antennae 8-segmented, III swollen near base; one sense cone on III, 2 sense cones on IV; VII–VIII broadly united but VI distinct from VII. Pronotum with notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra and mesopresternum not present, ferna transverse; metathoracic sternopleural sutures well developed in macropterae but weak in micropterae. Metanotum with 15–25 small setae. Fore tarsus with tooth in both sexes; mid and hind tibiae with capitate seta on external apical margin about as long as tibial apical width. Fore wing usually reduced to small lobe bearing one capitate seta. Pelta broad; tergites with transverse row of numerous, slender and acute setae, also one pair of major marginal setae; tergite IX setae half as long as tube; tube slightly shorter than head. Male tergite IX setae similar to female; sternite VIII without pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Heptadikothrips Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 198. Type species Heptadikothrips thallus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004, by monotypy.

Only one species is placed in this genus.

Australian species
Heptadikothrips thallus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 198

Relationship data

This is one of the Rhopalothripoides suite of genera of Phlaeothripinae on Acacia trees in Australia. It shares many character states with some species of Brakothrips.

Distribution data

Recorded only from Queensland, Australia.

Biological data

Found in splits on the bark of young stems of Acacia stenophylla.

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.