Melanthrip fuscus (Sulzer)

Rasool, Iftekhar, Alattal, Yehya Zaki & Aldhafer, Hathal M., 2023, Faunistic inventory, identification keys and zoogeographical analysis of the Thysanoptera-Terebrantia of Saudi Arabia, including two new species, Zootaxa 5306 (2), pp. 151-200 : 161

Melanthrip fuscus (Sulzer)

Thrips fuscus Sulzer, 1776: 113 .

This Palearctic species was first described from Switzerland (ThripsWiki 2023) and is wide spread in Europe. It was distinguished by zur Strassen (2003) from the closely related M. sudanensis based on presence and absence of discal setae on sternites V–VI. These sternal setae are unstable and vary from zero to 1–3 pairs among and within populations of M. fuscus . The character state zero sternal setae on segment V–VI was used by zur Strassen (2003) to distinguish M. sudanensis Priesner (1936) . However, the type specimen of M. sudanensis needs to be re-examined for further clarification between the two species.

Material studied. All specimens were collected by Aldryhim, Y. N. and Rasool, I. Riyadh. Al Oyayna , six females from Zilla spinosa , 23. i.2019, ( BT) ; Sudus valley , 14 females, three males from Chenopodium morale , 13 females from Zilla spinosa , 13.ii.2019, ( BT) ; Hraymla, Safarat dam, four females, one male from Brassica tournefortii , five females from Rumex vesicarius , 28.ii.2019, ( BT) ; Rumah, Rawdat Khuraim , 11 females, one male from Eruca vesicaria , 30.i.2019, ( BT) ; Zulfi, Rawdat Sabalah , one female Zilla spinosa , 26.iii.2019, ( BT) ; Al-Deri’yya, two females from Zilla spinosa , 14.iii.2019, ( BT) .