Phlaeothripidae: Idolothripinae: Cleistothrips

Nomenclature

• Cleistothrips Bagnall, 1932: 511. Type species Cleistothrips idolothripoides Bagnall

Diversity

This genus includes only a single species.

Distribution

Known only from New Zealand, both North and South Islands.

Biology

The maxillary stylets are long and broad, suggesting that the adults feed on fungal spores. Collection records indicate that the species lives in dead hollow twigs.

Relationships

Tribe Pygothripini, subtribe Pygothripina.

Apparently related to Heptathrips, and possibly also to Ecacleistothrips.