Compsothrips, Reuter, 1901

Eow, L. X., Mound, L. A. & Ng, Y. F., 2011, Genera of Spore-Feeding Thysanoptera from Southeast Asia (Phlaeothripidae, Idolothripinae), with a species checklist from Peninsular Malaysia, Zootaxa 2928 (1), pp. 1-19 : 12

Compsothrips

The 27 species listed in this genus are wingless ant-mimics, living at ground level in many warmer parts of the world. The ant-like appearance is often enhanced by the slight elevation of the metanotum, and the constriction of the anterior abdominal segments, and particularly by the running behaviour when alive. Possibly in association with the wingless condition, there is considerable variation between local populations, and the significance of some species as valid entities remains unclear. C. furvus Reyes is described from the Philippines, but is closely similar in structure and colour to C. reuteri Trybom from South Africa. The record of C. congoensis Hood from India ( Ananthakrishnan & Sen, 1980) possibly refers to the same species, and similar specimens have been studied from Chiang Mai, Thailand. In contrast, C. ramamurthii Ananthakrishnan from India has the body more extensively yellow. No member of the genus is recorded from Japan.