Malesiathrips Palmer & Mound, 1978: 196. Type-species M. malayensis Palmer & Mound, by original designation.
The genus Malesiathrips Palmer & Mound comprises three species, from Guam, the Solomon Islands, and Malaysia. The new species described below was found at several sites in the rain forests of North Eastern Australia in association with the dead stems and fronds of the scrambling palm, Calamus. In Java, many of the paratypes of the type species, M. malayensis, were also taken from dead palm fronds. These two thrips species are very similar in colour and structure, the new species differing as follows: sensoria on antennal segment III shorter, not extending beyond midpoint of segment IV; antennal segments III–V with apices of dorsal setae blunt, not expanded; pronotal anteromarginal, posteroangular and posteromedian discal major setae all small, less than 0.3 as long as epimerals and pointed.