Plicothrips Bhatti

(Fig. 69)

Plicothrips Bhatti, 1979: 306 . Type species: Hindsiana apicalis Bagnall, by original designation.

Only two species are included in this genus, one from Sudan and the other described from India. However, the latter species, apicalis Bagnall, is known from Thailand and Taiwan, and is here newly recorded from mainland China, in Yunnan. Plicothrips is close related to the worldwide genus Haplothrips, and is distinguished by the presence of only one pair of well-developed wing-retaining setae on abdominal tergites III–VI (Fig. 69), and the fore wings with the basal third constricted. More than 100 specimens of apicalis have been examined from Yunnan, and the wing-retaining setae are highly variable among these specimens. Most have only the second pair of wingretaining setae well-developed, but some have the anterior pair well-developed on one or all of tergites III–VI. Specimens from Thailand in ANIC also have the anterior pair of wing-retaining setae present but small. The genus Plicothrips probably represents two slightly unusual, grass-living species of Haplothrips .

Diagnosis: Head longer than wide; eyes normal, postocular setae well-developed; stylets usually retracted to postocular setae, V-shaped with long maxillary bridge; antennae 8-segmented, III with 1 sensorium, IV with 4; pronotum with 5 pairs of developed setae, sometimes am reduced, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopresternum eroded medially; sternopleural sutures absent; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; fore wings weakly constricted medially, without duplicated cilia; pelta slightly triangular; tergites II–VII usually with 1 pair of wing-retaining setae (Fig. 69), sometimes with 2; tube with straight sides, slightly shorter than head, anal setae longer than tube; male sternite VIII without pore plate.