Liothrips Uzel, 1895

Mound, Laurence A., Dang, Lihong & Tree, Desley J., 2023, The genus Liothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) in Australia, Zootaxa 5306 (2), pp. 201-214 : 202

Liothrips Uzel

Liothrips Uzel, 1895: 261 . Type species Phloeothrips setinodis Reuter , by subsequent designation of Hood, 1918: 131.

This genus was erected originally for two species, both from Europe, of which the first was subsequently recognised as a synonym of the second (ThripsWiki 2023). The 270 species currently listed in the genus are remarkably uniform in body structure, although it remains doubtful that they constitute a single phylogenetic lineage. The uniformity of structure has so far defeated attempts to recognise sub-lineages amongst Liothrips species, although ThripsWiki 2023) still lists the inadequately diagnosed subgenus Zopyrothrips . However, several small genera are recognised in Asia that presumably have evolved out of this larger group, and two of these, Gynaikothrips and Litotetothrips ( Dang et al. 2014) , are found in the warmer parts of Australia.

Generic diagnosis: Medium sized, usually dark, macropterous Phlaeothripinae . Antennae 8-segmented, III with one sense cone, IV usually with 3 major sense cones (rarely only 2). Head usually longer than wide, usually striate but sometimes weakly reticulate; with one pair of long postocular setae (rarely 2 or 0); eyes large; maxillary stylets retracted to eyes or only halfway to postocular setae, close together or wide apart. Pronotum with 5 pairs of major setae (anteromarginal pair sometimes reduced), notopleural sutures complete; basantra absent, ferna large, mesopresternum transverse or divided into two triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures usually well developed. Fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes; fore wing not constricted medially, with many duplicated cilia. Pelta triangular, tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; IX with setae S1 and S2 usually long and pointed; tube usually shorter than head. Male sternite VIII usually with large pore plate; tergite IX usually with setae S2 shorter than setae S1.