Generic diagnosis

Rather small, usually apterous Phlaeothripinae. Head longer than wide, slightly to greatly elevated in midline, usually with a few small cheek setae; mouth cone long, pointed; maxillary stylets slender, retracted to level of eyes, close together medially for full length of head. Antennae 8-segmented with suture between VII and VIII complete, but with VIII in some species forming almost a single unit; III with 2 or 3 sense cones, IV with 2, 3 or 4 sense cones. Pronotum with notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra absent, mesopresternum sexually dimorphic, anterior margin of mesoeusternum much narrower in males than females; sternopleural sutures present or absent. Fore tarsal tooth present in male, sometimes absent in female; male fore tibia sometimes with an apical or subapical tooth. Pelta with paired campaniform sensilla; tube shorter than head. Male tergite IX setae S2 shorter than S1, iS setae relatively long; male sternite VIII with pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Holoengythrips Mound & Tree, 2014: 138. Type species Holoengythrips maynardae Mound & Tree, 2014, by original designation.

There are nine species recognised in this endemic Australian genus.

Australian species
Holoengythrips barrinei Mound & Tree, 2014: 139
Holoengythrips kathyae Mound & Tree, 2014: 139
Holoengythrips maynardae Mound & Tree, 2014: 140
Holoengythrips monteithi Mound & Tree, 2014: 141
Holoengythrips namadgi Mound & Tree, 2014: 141
Holoengythrips padthawayi Mound & Tree, 2014: 142
Holoengythrips tallagandai Mound & Tree, 2014: 143
Holoengythrips tarsalis Mound & Tree, 2014: 143
Holoengythrips turcoae Mound & Tree, 2014: 147

Relationship data

Among the Phlaeothripinae, this genus is probably most closely related to Hoplandrothrips, in view of the sexual dimorphisms and the slender maxillary stylets (in contrast to Holothrips species). In contrast to species of Hoplandrothrips the head of Holoengythrips species is elevated in the longitudinal midline almost forming a crest.

Distribution data

The members of this genus have all been found in various parts of eastern Australia, including Norfolk Island.

Biological data

Fungus-feeding on dead branches of various tree species.

References

Mound LA & Tree DJ (2014) Fungus-feeding phlaeothripine Thysanoptera in the genus Holothrips from Australia and New Caledonia, with a structurally similar new genus, Holoengythrips. Zootaxa 3860 (2): 125–148.