Karnyothrips Watson

(Fig. 55)

Karnyothrips Watson, 1923: 23 . Type species: Karynia weigeli Watson, by monotypy, a synonym of Anthothrips flavipes Jones.

This worldwide genus of 47 species is probably polyphyletic. The holotypes of two species described from the Philippines, ateuchis and expandosus, have been studied, and these are probably not congeneric with the type species. Two well-known and widespread species, flavipes and melaleucus, are predatory on other small arthropods (Palmer & Mound 1991), but little is known of the biology of most of the others, some of which are possibly fungus-feeders. Four species are now known from China, including palmerae discussed below, but more species are likely to be found considering that Okajima (2006) described six species from the southern tropical islands of Japan. The holotype of Xylaplothrips palmerae Chen (1980) from Taiwan has been studied, and this has the following character states: antennal segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal am setae reduced, but other major setae capitate; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore wing weakly constricted medially; anal setae more than twice the length of tube. Because of these states, this species is here transferred to this genus as Karnyothrips palmerae (Chen) comb. n.

Diagnosis: Head longer than wide (Fig. 55); eyes normal, postocular setae well-developed; stylets usually retracted to postocular setae, wide apart; antennae 8-segmented, III with 1, 2 or 3 sensoria (varing within some species), IV with 4 (5); pronotum with 4 pairs of well-developed setae, am usually reduced, notopleural sutures complete or rarely incomplete; basantra present; mesopresternum usually transverse; sternopleural sutures absent; fore tarsi with forwardly directed tooth in both sexes; fore wings weakly constricted medially, with or without duplicated cilia; pelta usually trapezoidal; tergites II–VII with 2 pairs of wing-retaining setae; tube with straight sides, shorter than head, anal setae usually about twice as long as tube; male sternite VIII without pore plate.