Key to world species of Phibalothrips

1. Micropterous. [male with sternites III─VII each with a transverse oval pore plate] (Southern Europe)............. dispar

-. Macropterous. ............................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Ocellar region strongly elevated; abdominal tergites lateral thirds with widely longitudinal reticles; male without sternal pore plate (Malaysia, Borneo, Japan) .................................................................................................... rugosus

-. Ocellar region not strongly elevated; abdominal tergites lateral thirds with polygonal reticles bearing longitudinal wrinkles; male with sternal pore plate ......................................................................................................................... 3

3. Fore wing shaded at extreme base, not uniformly pale yellow; sternites III‒VII of male each with a broadly oval pore plate (from South Africa to Japan) ....................................................................................................... peringueyi

-. Fore wing uniformly pale yellow; sternites III‒VII of male each with a smaller, round pore plate (Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Fiji) ........................................................................................................................ longiceps