Nesothrips Kirkaldy

Nesothrips Kirkaldy, 1907: 103 . Type species Nesothrips oahuensis Kirkaldy, by monotypy.

Of the 27 Nesothrips species previously listed, seven were described from Australia ( aoristus, carveri, hemidiscus, melinus, propinquus, rhizophorae, yanchepi), six from New Zealand, with most of the others from various Pacific islands. To these, four new species are here described from Australia ( barrowi, brigalowi, coorongi, rossi), two species are placed into synonymy ( melinus, rhizophorae), and two species transferred to this genus from Carientothrips ( badius, casuarinae). As a result, 31 species are now placed in Nesothrips, of which 13 are known from Australia. Some species of this genus, including propinquus, minor, and lativentris, are widespread pantropically, presumably distributed along human trading-ship routes in hay, seed pods, coconut husks (cf. Mound 1974b; Mound & Palmer 1983). Keys were provided by Mound (1974b) to the 14 species recognised in this genus at that time, also keys to seven species recorded from Australia Mound (1974 a), and the six species described from New Zealand (Mound & Walker 1986). The generic synonyms involved were treated by Mound & Palmer (1983). As in Carientothrips, the species of Nesothrips often exhibit intra-specific structural variation in relation to wing morphs and sexual dimorphism. Males vary in size and body form, from major to minor males, particularly in the size and shape of the prothorax and fore femora, and presence of a fore tarsal tooth. Females of Nesothrips species recorded from Australia do not have a fore tarsal tooth, although this is present in females of a few species such as N. douli and N. leveri (Mound 1974b) .

In contrast to the species of Carientothrips, all species of Nesothrips have the maxillary palps similar in structure to the condition found throughout the Phlaeothripidae, with the first segment quadrate, and the second segment at least five times as long as the first segment (Fig. 56). Nesothrips species have complete pronotal notopleural sutures, the metathoracic sternopleural sutures are usually present although variable in propinquus and absent in some species ( oahuensis).