TAXONOMY OF TROMBICULIDS 
L 57 
and prefers not to accept the Guntheraninae. G. parana Worn., 1944, listed by Wharton & 
Fuller (1952:83), is considered by Womersley to be a synonym of the type; Womersley also 
records kallipygos as a nomen nudum , the type being bipygalis; but a nomen nudum has no validity 
and therefore cannot invalidate a given name. 
The species tindalei and translucens are known only from the adult stage and should 
therefore be ascribed to this genus tentatively. It will be necessary in future to decide whether 
nymphs and adults uncorrelated with larvae are mere closely related to Guntherana or to 
Doloisia (new subgenus) — at present the only character appears to be the more simple sensillae 
of the former. The ASL/SB ratio of translucens is about 1.5. 
Old World species (Australasia). — kallipygos ; ? tindalei N, ? translucens A (larva of last two unknown). 
Genus Doloisia Oudemans, 1910, expanded 
Type. — Doloisia synod Ouds., 1910:87, Ent. Ber., Amst ., 3, 83-90. From a bat, Europe. 
Provisional Diagnosis (expanded). — Larval trombiculines of the S chong astia group with 7-segmented 
legs, a characteristic small scutum with PW much wider than AW, with a tendency to multisetose coxae 
reaching its highest development in the genotype (all coxae multisetose) but may be only coxae III 
multisetose ( ? this character exceptionally absent) ; palpal claw generally stout and peculiarly curved, 
usually 3-pronged, but may be 2-pronged; chelicer short, somewhat curved, with a single large recurved 
dorsal tooth which may be blunt ; a tendency to have more than one pair of humeral setae ; without long 
nude setae on legs. Nymphs & Adults (known only for three new species, new subgenus, and for oculicola ; 
not known for the typical subgenus) with the general characters of Euschongastia but with a broad sensillary 
area and short crista (ASL/SB ratio = 0.7- 1.2, instead of over 1.7) resembling the scutum of Guntherana ; 
sensillae conspicuously branched (with spiculate shafts in a new species and oculicola , with thickened shaft 
in another new species undescribed). 
Remarks. — The writer knows of only 3 species which resemble the type closely in all 
characters, namely D. okabei Sasa et al. 1952 from Japan, D. brasiliensis (Fonseca), and Doloisia 
sp.* Varma (in MS) from India. In addition, Radford’s species manipurensis from India is 
obviously closely related although coxa I is unisetose. Of the latter species Womersley (1952: 
204) states his belief that manipurensis “ might be placed in Doloisia Oudemans 1910 as 
suggested by Fuller, 1948, if that genus can be validly separated from Schongastia when the 
adults become known” Womersley lays particular stress on the importance of adult characters 
and doubtless this emphasis is a useful corrective to the development of a classification based 
almost exclusively on larval characters. The present writer however agrees with a number of 
other authorities, in recognising that “ larval ” genera may be perfectly valid. With some new 
larval and nymphal material to hand it appears that Doloisia represents a quite distinct group of 
considerable complexity. 
Subgenus Doloisia Oudemans, 1910 
Type. — Doloisia synod Ouds. 1910-87, Ent. Ber. Amst., 3, 83-90. From a bat, Europe. 
Provisional Diagnosis. — Scutum not heavily chitinised, with posterior margin almost straight or 
concave; AM seta advanced in front of AL’s (so as to make scutum almost triangular or pentagonal), AM 
and/or AL setae may be nude or almost nude; coxae II and III multisetose, coxa I multisetose or unisetose. 
Old World species (Asia). — “HA ” n. sp. Varma; manipurensis (fig. 3; but see comments below); 
okabei, synod ; ? 2 n. spp. from Assam and North Burma (U.S.A. Typhus Commission coll.). 
New Subgenus, “ VN ’’-group Audy in MS (figs. 1, 3). 
Type. — Malaysian species to be described and designated (Audy in MS). 
Provisional Diagnosis. — With small scutum poorly chitinised; PL setae off the scutum and separating 
widely with engorgement; only coxae II and III multisetose. Nymphs & Adults as described in diagnosis 
of genus. 
Remarks. — We have 4 species from Malaya and one ( ?two) from North Borneo which 
have the general characters of Doloisia except that the poor chitinisation of the scutum combined 
* Since this went to press, Raja Varma has kindly allowed the writer to see his descriptions and 
illustrations. His new species (here listed as “ HA ”) is close to manipurensis and both these species will 
probably prove to belong to the PTV-group which is to be made a new subgenus by the present writer. 
MALAYA, No. 26, 1953 
