Retanathrips, Mound, Laurence A. & Nickle, David A., 2009

Mound, Laurence A. & Nickle, David A., 2009, The Old-World genus Ceratothripoides (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with a new genus for related New-World species, Zootaxa 2230, pp. 57-63 : 62

Retanathrips gen. n. Mound & Nickle

Type-species Physothrips funestus Hood, 1915

Members of this new genus apparently share the character states of Ceratothripoides listed above, judging from the few available specimens and the published descriptions. These New World species differ from the species of Ceratothripoides as follows: tergite VIII with posteromarginal comb absent at least medially; sternite VII setae S2 close to posterior margin; ocellar setae pair I arranged transversely. The five species listed by Mound & Marullo (1996) as “ Ceratothripoides ” are here re-assigned to this new genus. However, since these species are known from so very few specimens, their structure and identity requires further study on freshly collected material.

Species included. Retanathrips chilticus (Johansen, 1986: 354) comb.n. Described in Ceratothripoides , this species is based on a single female, collected from Datura arborea flowers, 26.vii.1981, in Hidalgo, Mexico. The original illustration indicated that the comb on the posterior margin of tergite VIII is very weak medially.

Retanathrips funestus ( Hood, 1915: 24) comb.n. Described in Physothrips from Texas, this species is considered a senior synonym of Taeniothrips martellorum Medina Gaud from Puerto Rico ( Mound & Marullo, 1996). Specimens have also been examined from Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Costa Rica.

Retanathrips inconstantis ( Johansen & Mojica, 1986: 372) comb.n. Described in Wegenerithrips , this species is based on two females, collected from mosses, 24.x.1982, in Veracruz, Mexico. The description indicated that there is no posteromarginal comb on tergite VIII, and the setal row on the forewing first vein is almost complete.

Retanathrips lagoenacollus ( Moulton, 1933: 130) comb.n. Described in Taeniothrips , this species is known only from two females and one male collected at ”St. Theresa, Brazil ”, 27 & 29.vi.1928.

Retanathrips silvestris ( Hood, 1935: 83) comb.n. Described in Taeniothrips from Panama, this species is recorded from Costa Rica and Trinidad. However, as indicated by Mound & Marullo (1996) the specimens under this name are possibly merely large individuals of R. funestus .