Recognition data

Distinguishing features

Female macropterous. Body and legs brown; antennal segment III yellow distally but brown in basal third or half, IV–IX brown; fore wing extensively brown, including clavus, sub-basal and sub-apical pale areas not extending to posterior margin, costal vein pale.

Head with postocular region as long as eye length; distal maxillary palp segment subdivided. Antennae 9-segmented, sensorium on III straight, on IV curved around apex, extending to basal third of segment, without internal markings. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of accessory setae. Metanotal reticles with weak internal dot-like markings, campaniform sensilla absent. Abdominal tergite I with faint transverse lines medially; trichobothria on X no larger than base of major setae on X. Sternites with 4 pairs of small marginal setae, and 2 to 3 pairs of discal setae laterally but none medially; VII with 4 or more pairs of discal setae laterally.

Male similar to female but smaller, antennal segment III yellowish brown. Abdominal tergite I with two longitudinal ridges. Sternites with 1 or 2 pairs of discal setae laterally, IX apparently without discal setae.

Related and similar species

The genus Desmothrips is known only from Australia, with 18 described species (Pereyra & Mound, 2010). D. uniguttus is unique within the genus, and most unusual amongst Thysanoptera, in having the basal third of antennal segment III darker than the yellow apical half.

Distribution data

General distribution

Known only from Australia

Australian distribution

Described from near Brisbane, this species is common around Canberra.

Biological data

Host plants

Apparently specific to Cassinia quinquefaria (Asteraceae).

Life history

Flower-living, but presumably predatory on Anaphothrips ambiguus.

Taxonomic data

Current valid name

Desmothrips uniguttus Girault

Original name and synonyms

Desmothrips uniguttus Girault, 1927