Sophiothrips Hood

(Figs 94, 95)

Sophiothrips Hood, 1934: 425 . Type species: Sophiothrips squamosus Hood, by original designation.

The 25 species included in this genus, from various parts of the tropics and subtropics around the world, involve some of the smallest Phlaeothripinae . Despite their small size, several species are polymorphic, with major males differing in structure from minor males, and winged individuals differing considerably from wingless adults (Mound & Walker 1982). Two species are recorded from Taiwan, two from Indonesia, and one from Malaysia. These thrips are commonly found living on dead twigs, in association with fungi.

Diagnosis: Head broader than long (Fig. 94); interocellar and postocular setae present but small, postoculars near cheeks; mouth-cone rounded, stylets short, V-shaped, restricted to mouth-cone; antennae 8-segmented, VIII not constricted basally, III with 1 or 2 sensoria, IV with 2; pronotum usually with 3 pairs of major setae; notopleural sutures usually complete; basantra small or absent; mesopresternum narrow or reduced (Fig. 95); sternopleural sutures present; fore tarsal tooth present in male, present or absent in female; fore wings, if present, parallel-sided without duplicated cilia; pelta broad; tergites II–VII with 1 pair of wing-retaining setae; tube longer than head, anal setae much shorter than tube; male sternite VIII usually without pore plate.