Australian Journal of Entomology (2004) 43, 169-176

Taryn E. Wills, Thomas W. Chapman, Laurence A Mound, Brenda D. Kranz and Michael P. Schwarz (2004)
Natural history and description of Oncothrips kinchega, a new species of gall-inducing thrips with soldiers (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)
Australian Journal of Entomology 43 (2), 169-176
Abstract: A new species of gall-inducing thrips, Oncothrips kinchega sp. n., is described and its biology on the host plant Acacia carneorum was investigated. Our study showed that a single foundress initiates a gall. Her first-laid eggs develop into soldiers (mean number of soldiers ± SE = 28 ± 15, 40% males, with no evidence for protogyny or protandry). The soldiers, along with the foundress, produce the (subsequent) dispersing generation (mean number of dispersers ± SE = 187 ± 10, 37% males with no evidence for protogyny or protandry). The brood development-pattern of O. kinchega is similar to that found in the complex of forms currently referred to as Oncothrips habrus Mound and Oncothrips waterhousei Mound and Crespi and is different from that of Oncothrips morrisi Mound, Crespi and Kranz, a species with soldiers but a non-social development pattern. However, O. kinchega shares several life history characteristics with O. morrisi, and appears intermediate in brood size between O. morrisi and the remainder of the gall-inducers. The possible evolutionary significance of these observations is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas W. Chapman, Laurence A. Mound

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Kladothrips kinchega	Acacia (crop)