Generic diagnosis

Moderately large brown macropterous Phlaeothripinae of the Liothrips-lineage. Head longer than wide, genae with one or more pairs of prominent setae; postocular setae about as long as eyes; maxillary stylets retracted almost to level of postocular setae, with small incomplete maxillary bridge; mouthcone long, broadly rounded to almost pointed. Antennae 8-segmented, VIII not constricted at base; segment III with 1 sense cone, IV with 3 sense cones. Pronotal anteromarginal setae smaller than remaining 4 pairs; notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra absent; mesopresternum complete; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present. Metanotum with weak longitudinal reticulation, almost absent between median setae. Fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes (Australian species - small in female, long and pointed in male; male fore tibia with curved tooth at inner apex). Fore wings parallel sided, with duplicated cilia; 3 pairs of long sub-basal setae. Pelta bell-shaped; tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 pointed or capitate, S2 shorter than S1 in female; tube about as long as head. Male sternite VIII without pore plate; tergite IX setae S2 short and stout.

Nomenclatural data

Ponticulothrips Haga & Okajima, 1983: 242. Type species Ponticulothrips diospyrosi Haga & Okajima, 1983, by monotypy.

Only two species are included in this genus.

Australian species
Ponticulothrips mudloi Mound & Tree, 2022: 294

Relationship data

This genus is a member of the Liothrips-lineage of Phlaeothripinae, and the included species differ from Liothrips species in having stout setae laterally on the head.

Distribution data

The type species of this genus is known from southern Japan, with the second species known only from eastern Queensland.

Biological data

Ponticulothrips diospyrosi is considered a pest in Japan on the leaves of persimmon trees, Diospyros kaki. However, the Australian species is known only from specimens taken by insecticide fogging of trees, although species of Diospyros are known to grow in parts of Queensland near where the specimens were collected.

References

Haga K & Okajima S (1983) A new genus and species of Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera) harmful to Persimmon from Japan. Annotationes zoologicae Japan 56: 241–245.

Mound LA & Tree DJ (2022). Thysanoptera Diversity in Australia, with three new generic records and two new species. Zootaxa 5104 (2): 291-296.

Okajima S (2006) The Insects of Japan Volume 2 The suborder Tubulifera (Thysanoptera). Fukuoka: Touka Shobo Co Ltd pp. 1–720.