Lenkothrips sensitivus (De Santis & Sureda, 1970: 471)

(Figs 27–30)

This species lacks reticulation on the pronotum (Fig. 30), and the hind tibiae are distinctively bicoloured (Fig. 27). The sensoria on antennal segments III & IV are relatively short when compared to the other Lenkothrips species (Fig. 28), however, the length of such structures might be variable among individuals as in Aulacothrips species (Cavalleri et al. 2012). This thrips was described from two males and one female collected in nests of Camponotus rufipes (Formicidae) in São Paulo, Brazil. These ants construct above-ground nests made of dry plant material, sometimes built around the base of shrubs and trees. It is unlikely that these structures constitute an appropriate microhabitat for L. sensitivus and their occurrence inside the nests is probably accidental. A few females have also been studied that apparently represent this species, taken in Malpighiaceae flowers in Brazilian Cerrado.

Material examined.

Brazil: São Paulo: Baruerí, 2 male paratypes, 28.iv.1967, collected in Camponotus crassus nests, K. Lenko (MLP) .