Tethina pallipes (Loew, 1865)

(figs. 14‒15)

Rhicnoessa pallipes Loew, 1865: 37 [“ Griechenland [Greece]” and “griechischen Inseln”; LT ♂ (designated by Munari, 2006: 104), ZMHB].

Distribution. Afrotropical: Cape Verde Islands, Oman, Senegal, Seychelles (Aldabra), South Africa, United Arab Emirates. Australasian/Oceanian: Australia (Western Australia); Hawaii (Lanai, Oahu). Oriental: India, Taiwan. Nearctic: Bermuda, United States (Texas). Neotropical: Chile, Mexico (Chiapas, Tabasco). Palaearctic: Algeria, Azores, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Portugal (Madeira), Qatar (? new), Spain (including Balearic Islands), Tunisia, Turkey.

Additional material examined. Qatar: Al Shamal, Al Araish, 26°03.552’N – 51°06.882’E, rocky desert, Acacia tree near highway, pitfall traps, 14-17.iii.2012, KPP-QA2012-PF16, K.P. Puliafico & A.M. Jensen, 1 ♀ (specific identification tentative) [ZMUC]. United Arab Emirates: Al Rafah, 25°43.7’N – 55°52.5’E, mangrove, 9.iii.2010, 13.iii.2010, W.N. Mathis, 2 ♂♂, [LMC, USNM]; Umm Al-Quwain, 25°31.4’N – 55°31.4’E, beach, 28.ii.2010, W.N. Mathis, 2 ♂♂, [USNM].

Remarks. This species has a worldwide distribution in both temperate and tropical environments. Males of Tethina pallipes are easily distinguished from congeners mainly by the partially exposed surstyli, which exhibit a very peculiar shape: ankle boot-shaped in lateral view, sharply angulated in posterior view, bearing relatively large, stout spinulae on mesal side (figs. 14‒15). In addition to this character, T. pallipes has the gena with a distinctly broad, longitudinal, subshiny stripe, which is higher than one third of genal height. Furthermore, the face is rather flat in profile, with ventral face not protruding. The acrostichal setulae of the mesonotum are arranged in 2-3 rows.