Compsothrips sinensis (Pelikan)

Dang, Lihong, Guo, Fuzhen, An, Yiyan & Mound, Laurence A., 2023, Ant-mimicking thrips of the genus Compsothrips Reuter from China (Phlaeothripidae, Idolothripinae), Zootaxa 5353 (2), pp. 187-195 : 192-193

Compsothrips sinensis (Pelikan)

( Figs 18–20 )

Oedaleothrips sinensis Pelikan, 1961: 306 .

Ophthalmothrips tenebronus Han & Cui, 1991 . Syn.n. Pelikan described sinensis from Guangdong, China, based on a single female. Unfortunately, this specimen has been lost ( Dang & Qiao 2013), and the identity of the species interpreted here is based on the detailed original description and illustrations. Based on that description, tenebronus cannot be distinguished from sinensis , as also mentioned by Dang and Qiao (2013), and is here placed as a new synonym. This species has the typical white colour on pelta and anterolateral tergite II but no lateral white spots on tergite V ( Fig. 18 ). Furthermore, it can be distinguished from other species of Compsothrips from China by the character combination: antennal segment III with 2 sense cones, the uniformly dark brown antennae and legs ( Figs 18, 19 ), metanotum sculptured with longitudinal lines (see Dang et al. 2013: 658, fig. 2), tergite IX setae S1–S3 acute at apex and longer than tube, and anal setae about as long as the tube. This species has similar metanotum sculpture with C. reuteri from South Africa and C. graminis from Trinidad. Fortunately, there are some specimens labelled these two species available in ANIC. By checking the three females and three males of reuteri taken from its original place, this species can be easily distinguished from sinensis by antennal segment III clear yellow at least, abdominal segment V with a large white spot on each side, S1–S3 on tergite IX much shorter than tube with expanded at apex, anal setae much shorter than tube, and all tarsi clear yellow. In addition, one female and two males of graminis from Brazil also have obvious differences in paler colour at thorax and all femora in contrast to dark head and abdomen, expanded S1–S3 on tergite IX but slightly shorter than tube, abdominal segment V also with large pair of white spots, and antennal segment III with only one small sense cone.

Specimens studied. Holoype female of tenebronus , with 7 females and 6 males paratypes, China, Sichuan, 2.vii.1984 (Shuyong Wang) ( NZMC) .

Figures

FIGURES 18–24. Type specimens. ‘C. tenebronus’ 18–20: (18) holotype female; (19) head, antennae and forelegs, allotype male; (20) holotype and allotype slides. C. reticulates 21–24: (21) antennae, holotype; (22) head and foreleg, holotype; (23) tergites IX–X, paratype male; (24) holotype and paratype slides.