Thrips rufescens (Hood)

Taeniothrips rufescens Hood, 1925: 137

This species was described from six females with the data: Tanzania, Rufiji River, 11.viii.1917. The following notes are based on one of these females, and the species can be distinguished from the more widespread T.

gowdeyi by the key above.

Diagnosis. Body brown, thorax paler; antennal segment III dark yellow with apex brown; forewings shaded with base paler. Antennae 8-segmented; head with ocellar setae III well outside triangle, almost lateral to first ocellus, about twice as long as a hind ocellus; postocular setae I and III almost as long as ocellar III, postocular setae II and IV minute. Pronotum with about 24 transverse lines. Metanotum with elongate reticles medially, transverse at anterior, median setae not close to anterior margin. Forewing first vein with 3 distal setae; clavus terminal seta longer than subterminal seta. Tergites with lateral sculpture lines not extending to campaniform sensilla; VIII with complete but short comb; pleurotergites with no discal setae; sternites with about 13 discal setae in irregular transverse row medially, 12 on sternite VII.