Generic diagnosis

Medium sized, micropterous Phlaeothripinae. Head with postocular setae shorter than an ocellus; maxillary stylets apparently deeply retracted into head. Antennae 8-segmented; segment III with 1 sense cone, IV with 2 sense cones; segment VII narrowed to basal neck, VIII broadly joined to VII. Pronotum with only epimeral setae large; notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra not developed, but many prominent chitinous islets. Meso and metanotum with no large setae. Fore tarsal tooth large in both sexes. Wing lobe tiny, with one large capitate seta. Abdominal tergites III–VI each with one pair of sigmoid setae, but none on VII; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 capitate, scarcely longer than basal width of tube; tube with reticulate sculpture.

Nomenclatural data

Spilothrips Moulton, 1942: 6. Type species Spilothrips varicolor Moulton, 1942, by monotypy.

Only one species is placed in this genus.

Australian species
Spilothrips varicolor Moulton, 1942: 7

Relationship data

This genus of Phlaeothripinae is presumably a member of the Phlaeothrips-lineage, and is possibly related to Hoplothrips.

Distribution data

Known only from one female and one male taken in Western Australia, south of Perth.

Biological data

Probably fungus-feeding, although the two known specimens were taken in an Acacia flower.

References

Moulton D (1942) Seven new genera of Thysanoptera from Australia and New Zealand. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 41: 1–13.