Generic diagnosis

Macropterous dark brown Phlaeothripinae with large elongate prosternal ferna. Head slender, first ocellus overhanging antennal bases, genae constricted to basal neck; postocular setae long, mid-dorsal pair sometimes present; maxillary stylets retracted into head no more than one third of its length. Antennae 8-segmented, III with 2 sense cones on external apex, IV with 3 sense cones. Pronotum much narrower than prothorax, notopleural sutures complete; posteroangular and epimeral setae well developed with blunt apices. Prosternal basantra not developed, ferna much longer than broad with median margins closely parallel; mesopresternum reduced to two triangles; metathoracic sterno-pleural sutures long. Mesonotum with complete longitudinal division medially, lateral setae long. Metanotum with weakly elevated V-shaped ridge medially, median setae relatively close together. Fore tarsal tooth exceptionally stout and sharply curved; fore coxae elongate. Fore wing broad, distal cilia short, with 12–15 duplicated cilia; 2 weakly capitate sub-basal setae present. Pelta elongate triangular; tergite II lateral margins with row of short stout setae; II–VII each with 2 pairs of weakly sigmoid wing-retaining setae arising laterally; tergite IX setae S1 and S2 blunt to weakly capitate; tube shorter than head, anal setae not elongate. Female sternite VIII subgenital plate broadly triangular with reticulate sculpture. Male similar to female in structure, but with fore tibiae more slender; tergite IX setae S2 shorter than S1; sternite VIII with diffuse pore plate.

Nomenclatural data

Turmathrips Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 292. Type species Turmathrips apistus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004, by original designation.

Only two species are known in this genus.

Australian species
Turmathrips apistus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 294
Turmathrips dyspistus Crespi, Morris & Mound, 2004: 294

Relationship data

The two known species are similarly elongate as in large species of Kladothrips, but they have many structural differences including the mesonotum fully divided longitudinally, and the prosternal ferna large and elongate.

Distribution data

Found widely but infrequently across Australia.

Biological data

Breeding within galls on Acacia phyllodes, but possibly a kleptoparasite rather than a gall-inducer.

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.