Family MEROTHRIPIDAE

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Introduction

Three genera are placed in this family with a total of 18 species worldwide. An identification key to 15 of these species is given by Mound & O'Neill (1974). These species are found mainly in the New World, but several have been widely distributed secondarily. Merothripids are amongst the smallest of all thrips, and most individuals are wingless; the males often have enlarged front legs.

Diagnosis

In structure, merothripids are considered to represent the most plesiomorphic condition of all Thysanoptera: they have a well developed pair of trichobothria on tergite IX, sternite VIII is represented by paired lobes, and the antennae are almost moniliform with eight segments (Mound et al. 1980). They all live on dead twigs and in leaf litter, presumably feeding on fungi. The three species listed here for Australia, all in Merothrips Hood, are introduced from the New World.

General References

Mound, L.A., Heming, B.R. & Palmer, J.M. 1980. Phylogenetic relationships between the families of recent Thysanoptera. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 69: 111-141 [Date published 31/12/1980]

Mound, L.A. & O'Neill, K. 1974. Taxonomy of the Merothripidae, with ecological and phylogenetic considerations (Thysanoptera). Journal of Natural History 8: 481-509 [Date published 31/12/1974]

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