Gigantothrips nigripes Karny

(Figs 2, 15, 22, 26, 49)

Gigantothrips nigripes Karny, 1924: 34

This African species was described from East Africa (Karny 1924). In Saudi Arabia, it was found breeding and inducing leaf galls on the leaves of Ficus sycomorus (Figs 35–37). Colonies of larvae were collected from the underside of leaves being safeguarded by adults. Both sexes of this species are unicolourous black, except antennal segments III–VI pale yellow, VI brown at apex; all major setae dark. This species is very similar to G. marshalli, but can be distinguished by shorter posteroangular setae than epimeral setae, compared to posteroangular setae as long as epimeral setae in G. marshalli (Mound 2012) .

Material examined. Al Baha. 22 females, 13 males, and 50 larvae, breeding on leaves of Ficus sycomorus, Al Makhwa, Thee Ain Village, 7.iv.2019, (BT).