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.