Phlaeothripidae

Phlaeothripidae

This is the largest family of Thysanoptera, with about 3550 species in 460 genera. At least 50% of the species are associated with dead plant tissues, feeding on fungi or the products of fungal decay, and a large proportion of the remainder are leaf-feeding, with a smaller number breeding in flowers, and a few species predatory on other small arthropods. Recognition of taxa within this family, at all levels, is often difficult because many species are polymorphic both within and between sexes.

Subfamilies

Idolothripinae Bagnall, 1908

Phlaeothripinae Uzel, 1895