''Cycadothrips'' is a genus of

thrips Thrips (Order (biology) , order Thysanoptera) are minute (mostly long or less), slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouthparts. Entomologists have species description , described approximately 7,700 species. They fly on ...

first discovered on the male cones of the cycad '' Macrozamia communis'' in New South Wales. They pollinate cycads which are mostly evolved for wind-pollination. The thrips transport pollen from the male cones to the female cones on separate plants. The genus has a pair of longitudinal sutures on the metasternum and a pair of expanded sensory areas on the third antennal segment. The genus has been placed in a separate subfamily under the

Aeolothripidae The Aeolothripidae are a family of thrips. They are particularly common in the holarctic region, although several occur in the drier parts of the subtropics, including dozens in Australia. Adults and larvae are usually found in flowers, but they ...

. Three species are known. Apart from the type species ''C. chadwicki'' which pollinates ''M. communis'' there is '' C. albrechti'' pollinates '' Macrozamia macdonnellii'' in central Australia and '' C. emmaliami'' which pollinates '' Macrozamia riedlei'' in southwest Australia. In ''C. chadwicki,'' it has been observed that the cycas mediates the repelling of the thrips from the male cones through heat-production and attraction by the female cones during the same period through volatile emissions.

References

{{taxonbar, from = Q111177972 Terebrantia Thrips genera