Key to Ctenothrips species from India

(* Based on original description)

1. Head with 2 pairs of ocellar setae, ocellar III posterior to ocellar triangle; dark thickenings attached to fore ocellus; antennal segments III–V and VII–VIII yellow; mesosternum without spinula; tergites II–VIII with posterior margin smooth............................................................................................ barapatharensis sp.n.

-. Head with 3 pairs of ocellar setae, ocellar III inside ocellar triangle; fore ocellus without any thickening; antennae uniformly dark brown; mesosternum with spinula; tergites II–VIII posterior margin with or without polygonal reticulation 2

2. Abdominal tergites II–VI with faint reticulation, smooth in about posterior half; VII–VIII completely smooth....... smilax *

-. Abdominal tergites II–VII and anterior margin of VIII with polygonal reticulation.............................. niger