Neurisothrips Sakimura

Neurisothrips Sakimura, 1967: 419 . Type species Thrips multispinus Bagnall.

In describing this genus, and transferring to it all seven of the endemic thripids described from the Hawaiian Islands, Sakimura presented differences only in relation to the genus Thrips. However, that genus is now recognised as only distantly related and differing in several character states of the head and abdomen (Mound et al. 2016). Relationships of Neurisothrips have remained far from clear, and are not likely to be understood without molecular data. However, the genus seems most likely to have evolved from, or possibly shared a common ancestor with, Frankliniella, a genus that is particularly species-rich in the warmer parts of the American continent. The species placed in Neurisothrips share with members of Frankliniella the following character states: head with a pair of setae in front of the first ocellus; fore wing with two complete rows of veinal setae; tergite VIII with a ctenidium-like row of microtrichia antero-lateral to the spiracle. With very few exceptions the two genera also share the following conditions: metanotum weakly reticulate with both pairs of setae on the anterior margin; sternites without discal setae. In contrast to Frankliniella species the antennae of Neurisothrips species have seven (not eight) segments, there are no distinct ctenidia on any abdominal tergite, and the posterior margin of each tergite and sternite bears a well-developed craspedum.