Melobasis thoracica, Blackburn. B. Levey, 1887

Levey, Brian, 2012, 3464, Zootaxa 3464, pp. 1-107 : 15

The thoracica species-group

This group consists of two species. The group is characterised by the fringe of long curly setae on the 9th abdominal tergite of the female ( Figs. 31, 32). This character is unique to this species-group. The strongly biarcuate basal margin of the elytra, and the short, broad ovipositor ( Fig. 156), indicate that the closest relatives of the thoracica species-group may be species of the pusilla species-group which also have these two characters. Parameres of aedeagus with long fine setae only.

Adult M. thoracica are mainly recorded from Acacia species. The larval hosts are unknown.