Body brown, with yellowish markings on head and apex of abdomen; antennal segments III–V and base of VI yellow; tarsi yellow; fore wing largely pale but with dark markings at base, and two short brown bands. Head with cheeks convex, constricted behind eyes and at base; covered with equiangular reticulation. Antennae 8-segmented, III & IV with short apical neck and simple sense cone. Pronotum transverse, with no long setae. Mesonotum fully divided longitudinally. Metanotum with elongate reticulation and triangle projecting at posterior, reticulate, with median setae small, arising medially behind reticulation, with pair of large campaniform sensilla. Tarsi 1-segmented. Fore wing slender, first and second veins with setal rows incomplete, with few short and stout setae. Abdominal segment II strongly constricted, anterolateral areas with numerous recurved claw-like microtrichia; tergite VIII without marginal comb of microtrichia; X reticulate, median longitudinal split complete, terminal setae with apices expanded.
Male unknown.
Intraspecific variation
Not recorded.
Genus and similar species information
This genus belongs to the subfamily Panchaetothripinae and includes only one species, which is probably closely related to Anisopilothrips. Elixothrips brevisetis is characterised by having the mesonotum completely divided medially, and the terminal setae on abdominal segment X with apices expanded.
World distribution
Described from Seychelles, it is now widespread: Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Hawaii, Philippines, Caribbean and Pacific Islands, Taiwan.
