Sericothrips staphylinus Haliday

(Figs 77–79)

Sericothrips staphylinus Haliday, 1836: 444

Introduced in 2001 for the biological control of the noxius weed, Ulex europaeus, this Western European species is established in Tasmania and Victoria, and possibly also in South Australia (Ireson et al., 2008). One of the darkest members of the Sericothripinae in Australia, it is easily recognised from the structure of the metanotum and abdominal tergites (Figs 77, 78). Sternites IV–VII of males have a small circular (sometimes divided) glandular area medially.