Generic diagnosis

Pale macropterous Phlaeothripinae with small compound eyes and long pointed mouth cone. Head wide at base but narrowest across eyes, genae with no prominent setae; eyes with less than 25 facets, postocular setae long and capitate; maxillary stylets very long, retracted to eyes, crossing over medially and with one convolution at base of head; mouth cone extending to mesosternum. Antennae 8-segmented, III with one sense cone, IV with 2 sense cones; II with sensorium on basal half of segment, VIII constricted to base. Pronotum with 5 pairs of major, capitate setae; notopleural sutures complete. Prosternal basantra and mesopresternum not developed; anterior margin of mesosternum eroded; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present. Fore tarsal tooth large. Fore wing parallel-sided, without duplicated cilia, with only one major sub-basal seta. Pelta trangular; tergite II eroded laterally; II–VII each with a single pair of very long, curved wing-retaining setae; tergal lateral setae long, tergite IX setae S1 acute and longer than tube; tube conical, anal setae short.

Nomenclatural data

Xyelethrips Mound, 1970: 460. Type species Pygmaeothrips quadritibia Girault 1927, by monotypy.

There is only one species known in this genus.

Australian species
Xyelethrips quadritibia (Girault, 1927: 3)

Relationship data

This Phlaeothripinae genus is considered a member of the Plectrothripini in view of the position of the sensorium on the basal (not apical) half of the second antennal segment.

Distribution data

Specimens of this genus have been seen only from eastern Queensland.

Biological data

Nothing is known of the biology of this species. Because of the long and convoluted maxillary stylets it has been assumed to live on the foliage of a species of Casuarina, but it is equally likely to be a fungus-feeder on dead branches.

References

Mound LA (1970) Convoluted maxillary stylets and the systematics of some Phlaeothripine Thysanoptera from Casuarina trees in Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 18: 439–463.