Minute Leaf-litter Thrips of the Genus Preeriella (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from Asia

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The genus Preeriella is redefined and Machadonia is newly synonymized with it. Five species of the genus are recorded from Asia, including four newly described species : P. armigera sp. n. from Japan, P. bournieri sp. n. from Thailand, P. formosana sp. n. from Taiwan, and P. malaya sp. n. from West Malaysia. A key to the five Asian species is given. Adults of these species are usually less than 1mm long and live in leaf-litter, but it is not known if they are predatory or fungus-feeding. One species, P. armigera, has the hind femora of large males greatly enlarged, suggesting some form of sexual competition.