Generic diagnosis

Medium-sized, dark brown macropterous Phlaeothripinae with antennal segment II prolonged laterally. Head distinctly prolonged in front of eyes; genae with one pair of stout setae in basal third, small tooth behind eyes; compound eyes longer dorsally than ventrally; postocular setae no larger than minor setae; mouth cone short and rounded, maxillary stylets retracted into basal third of head. Antennae 8-segmented, II prolonged externally into slender blade, III with one sense cone, IV with 3 sense cones. Large individuals with pronotum expanded, with strong median longitudinal apodeme; notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra well developed, but variable in shape and position; mesopresternum reduced to two small lateral triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures well developed. Mesonotum with short posteromarginal cleft; metanotum weakly reticulate, median setae small. Fore wing parallel-sided, duplicated cilia present or absent; sub-basal seta S3 much smaller than S1 & S2. Abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 widely spaced pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tergite IX setae shorter than tube, apices weakly capitate; tube slender with long, dark anal setae. Male sternite VIII without pore plate; tergite IX setae S2 slightly longer than setae S1.

Nomenclatural data

Schwarzithrips Mound & Morris, 2000: 135. Type species Schwarzithrips zammit Mound & Morris, 2000, by original designation.

There are two species recognised in this genus.

Australian species
Schwarzithrips glyphis Mound & Morris, 2000: 135
Schwarzithrips zammit Mound & Morris, 2000: 135

Relationship data

Molecular data suggest a relationship to genera such as such as Crespithrips and Xaniothrips in which species have a similar biology as kleptoparasites of other thrips living on Acacia phyllodes, .

Distribution data

An Australian endemic genus that is found across the semi-arid zone of this continent.

Biological data

Both species live as kleptoparasites, invading the domiciles created by Dunatothrips species on Acacia phyllodes.

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 & Morris, DC (2000) Inquilines or kleptoparasites? New phlaeothripine Thysanoptera (Insecta) associated with domicile-building thrips on Acacia trees. Australian Journal of Entomology 39: 130–137.