Monothrips Moulton

This genus was based on a single female collected at Rabaul, New Britain. However, the same species, M. flavus, has been found widely across Northern Australia, and a second closely related species is described here from the north of Western Australia. Because of the presence of a few microtrichia laterally on the tergal sculpture lines (Fig. 79), Moulton (1940) suggested a relationship to the Sericothripinae, a suggestion that finds no support from any other character states. This genus shares most character states with Masamithrips, but has the maxillary palps with three segments, and the abdominal sternites with a dentate craspedum on the posterior margins. No male is known in this genus.

Key to Monothrips species

1. Craspedum on abdominal tergites II–VI very finely toothed medially, strongly toothed laterally (Fig. 79); craspeda on sternites with long teeth laterally but rounded lobes medially (Fig. 78).............................................. flavus

-. Craspedum on abdominal tergites II–VI toothed across full width, but most strongly toothed laterally (Fig. 77); craspeda on sternites with long pointed teeth medially as well as laterally (Fig. 76)................................... cuspis sp.n.