Aptinothrips Haliday

This European genus of four wingless species includes one, A. rufus, that is possibly the most abundant thrips worldwide. Found on grass leaves throughout the temperate world, including at high elevations in some tropical countries, A. rufus is common in southern Australia on introduced pasture grasses. It is easily recognised by the 6- segmented antennae with an enlarged sixth segment. In New Zealand montane grasses, A. stylifer with 8-segmented antennae, is common, and this species may possibly be found in suitable habitats in Tasmania. Palmer (1975) provided an illustrated account of the species of Aptinothrips .