1? A G N A LL'S T H V S A N P T ERA 91 



ELAPHROTHRIPS Buff a 



Elaphrothrips Buffa, 1909 : 162-163. Type-species Idolothrips coniferarum Pergande, 1896, 



designated by Andre, 1940. 

 Dicaiothrips Buffa, 1909 : 169-170. Type-species Thrips schotti Heeger, 1852, designated by 



Bagnall, 1910a. 

 Elaphoxothrips Bagnall, i<)32e : 516-517. Type-species Kleothrips athletes Karny, by monotypy. 

 Klinothrips Bagnall, 1918a : 217-218. Type-species K. femoralis, by monotypy. 

 Elaphrothrips Buffa ; Priesner, 1935 : 58-60 and 1952 : 845-866. 

 Elaphrothrips Buffa ; Stannard, 1957 : 98-100. 



This genus has been confused frequently with Idolothrips, and Stannard states 

 that the differences between the two genera are ' of a minor nature '. The type- 

 species of Idolothrips has been compared during the present study with more than 

 fifty species of Elaphrothrips and these two genera may be distinguished as follows: 



1 Pronotal antero-angular and midlateral setae close together, anteromarginals well 

 developed, two pairs of epimerals present ; fore tarsi unarmed in both sexes ; 

 external margin of femora angular in profile, bearing several pairs of major setae 

 as in Meiothrips IDOLOTHRIPS 



- Pronotal antero-angular and midlateraJ setae not close together, anteromarginals 

 small, one pair of major epimerals lure tarsi frequently armed ; fore femora 

 expanded, external margin with a smoothly curved profile. . ELAPHROTHRIPS 



The difficulties in this genus have been greatly increased through the description 

 of numerous species on solitary specimens or very short series. Bagnall's species 

 were described before the principle of heterogonous growth in Thysanoptera was 

 appreciated, and in view of the variation in Elaphrothrips species discussed by 

 Priesner (1935), Hartwig (1948) and Hood (1955) it is likely that more synonymy 

 awaits elucidation. The colour of the antennal segments is frequently used for 

 species recognition within the group, but in certain species such as E. stenocephalus 

 (and Idolothrips spectrum) the stems of antennals IV to VI are not constant in colour 

 although variation from clear yellow to pure brown has not been observed. The 

 variation involved is in the shades of yellowish brown and brownish yellow, and 

 forms with this intermediate colouring need special attention. 



Elaphrothrips aethiopiae Bagnall 



Elaphrothrips aethiopiae Bagnall, 1936 : 225-226. 

 Elaphrothrips aethiopiae Bagnall ; Priesner, 1952 : 865. 



Holotype <$. [? Ethiopia] Ethiopie meridionale, Abou, 31.vii.1904 {Rothschild). 

 Paris Museum. 



Elaphrothrips affinis (Bagnall) 



Idolothrips affinis Bagnall, 1908c : 213-214. 

 Idolothrips assimilis Bagnall, 1908c : 213. Syn. n. 

 Dicaiothrips distinctus Bagnall, 1910a : 378-379. Syn. n. 



Bagnall described these three forms from three uniques which bear identical 

 collection data. In view of the variation now known in Elaphrothrips species from 



