The Thrips orientalis group from South‐east Asia and Australia: some species identities and relationships (Thysanoptera, Thripidae)

A thrips associated in Thailand with the flowers of Paederia foetida , a rubiaceous weed in Florida that is a threat to Australia, is here recognised as Thrips morindae Priesner, a species previously considered a synonym of T. javanicus Priesner. Systematic relationships of these species with others in South‐east Asia and the Australasian region are discussed. Two new species‐groups are designated: the T. obscuratus group of six species from New Zealand and New Caledonia, and the T. orientalis group of 12 South‐east Asian species that are associated with scented white flowers such as Gardenia . Four species of this second group are recorded from tropical Australia.