Hoplothrips corticis (De Geer, 1773)

Mound, Laurence A. & Wang, Jun, 2020, Hoplothrips species recorded from China (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), with one new species from Yunnan, Zootaxa 4758 (3), pp. 596-599 : 597

Hoplothrips corticis -group

In China this seems to comprise three nominal species: corticis (De Geer) , japonicus (Karny), and mainlingensis Han. Amongst these, corticis can usually be distinguished because the lateral margins of the pelta are completely confluent with the anterior margin of the second tergite, whereas in the other two the lateral margin curves away from the tergite margin. The distinction of mainlingensis from japonicus seems far less secure. Okajima (2006) states that the width of antennal segment III of japonicus is 42.5–44 microns, whereas Han (1997) states that this width in mainlingensis is only 38 microns. Specimens of mainlingensis have been studied on loan from Beijing, including specimens that apparently are from the type series. These specimens have been compared with various specimens of both sexes that are identified as japonicus, and no significant differences have been found. It seems possible that these two names represent a single widespread species. A further species from Japan, persimilis Okajima, seems to be structurally very similar but was described as having sculpture lines in the ocellar region of the head, and the pronotal posteroangular setae clearly shorter than the epimeral setae.