Generic diagnosis

Macropterous (often de-alate) Phlaeothripinae, sometimes micropterous, rarely apterous; dark brown or yellow with light brown markings. Head longer than wide, genae usually convex; postocular setae never elongate, sometimes absent; maxillary stylets usually retracted to postocular setae, commonly about one third of head width apart with distinct maxillary bridge, sometimes closer medially in head. Antennae 8-segmented, III with one sense cone, IV with 2 or 3 (rarely 1) sense cones that commonly arise ventrally, VI usually truncate at apex, VII–VIII often strongly asymmetric. Pronotum wider than long, notopleural sutures complete; epimeral setae capitate, remaining major setae usually not developed. Prosternal basantra usually not present; mesopresternum reduced to lateral triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present. Metanotal median setae small and acute, sometimes with several minor setae present. Fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; fore tibia sometimes with a tubercle on inner apical margin; fore femora sometimes enlarged. Fore wings rather weak, parallel-sided, usually without duplicated cilia. Tergites II–V with two pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae, sometimes reduced on VI and VII; tergite VIII with one pair of major capitate setae sub-medially near posterior margin; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 usually shorter than basal width of tube, setae S2 of male similar to setae S1; tube of female sometimes short and robust, anal setae short, but tube of male longer. Sternites VI–VII of female sometimes with poorly defined iridescent reticulation laterally; sternite VIII of male usually with pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Katothrips Mound, 1971: 409. Type species Kladothrips tytirus Girault 1928, by original designation.

There are 35 described species in this genus, but several undescribed species are also known.

Australian species
Katothrips argenteus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 202
Katothrips banksiae Mound & Wells 2020: 206
Katothrips biconus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 203
Katothrips oniscus (Girault, 1928: 2)
Katothrips brigalowi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 205
Katothrips brunneicorpus (Girault, 1927: 3)
Katothrips capitatus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 206
Katothrips dampieri Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 207
Katothrips diamantinus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 207
Katothrips echinatus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 208
Katothrips enochrus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 209
Katothrips flindersi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 210
Katothrips glandis Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 210
Katothrips grasbyi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 211
Katothrips hamersleyi Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 211
Katothrips hoarei Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 212
Katothrips hyrum Mound, 1971: 414
Katothrips mackeyanae Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 213
Katothrips maslini Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 213
Katothrips melasmus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 214
Katothrips mitchelli Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 215
Katothrips neottus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 216
Katothrips nodus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 216
Katothrips orionis Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 217
Katothrips papulus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 217
Katothrips pendulae Mound, 1971: 414
Katothrips peratus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 219
Katothrips sifrus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 220
Katothrips spinosissimus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 221
Katothrips spinosus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 221
Katothrips stuarti Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 222
Katothrips tagacis Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 223
Kladothrips tityrus Girault, 1928: 1
Katothrips uniconus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 225
Katothrips unicus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 225
Katothrips yamma Mound, 1971: 416

Relationship data

No clear phylogenetic relationships of this Phlaeothripinae genus have been suggested, although it shares some character states with Dactylothrips.

Distribution data

Known only from Australia, species of this genus have been found widely across the continent.

Biological data

A genus of opportunist species living in various cavities such as old galls and leaf mines, almost exclusively on Acacia trees but with two on Banksia species (Mound & Wells 2020).

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 & Wells A (2020) Host-shifts at family level in the Australian Acacia-thrips lineage (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) with two new species. Zootaxa 4816 (2): 202–208.