
Dolicholepta sp. Head
Dolicholepta sp. Antennals IV-VIII
Dolicholepta sp. Pronotum
Dolicholepta sp. Metanotum
Dolicholepta sp. Tergites III-IV
Dolicholepta sp. Pelta
Moderately large, macropterous Phlaeothripinae with long pointed mouth cone. Head longer than wide, ocellar area projecting over bases of antennae, vertex transversely striate; genae parallel; postocular setae pointed, short to long; eyes slightly larger ventrally than dorsally; mouth-cone pointed, extending across prosternum; maxillary stylets retracted almost to postocular setae, slightly more than one third of head width apart, maxillary bridge weakly indicated. Antennae 8-segmented; segment III with 1 (or 2) sense cones, IV with 4 small sense cones; IV–VI with apices asymmetric; VIII slightly constricted at base. Pronotum transversely striate in micrura, slightly elongate with 4 or 5 pairs of major setae; notopleural sutures variable, usually not fully complete. Metanotum closely striate longitudinally. Prosternal basantra present but weakly sclerotised; ferna almost meeting medially; mesopresternum of two lateral triangles; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent. Fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes. Fore wings weakly constricted medially, duplicated cilia absent. Pelta triangular; tergites II–VII each with two pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae, but with one or two pairs of additional sigmoid setae; tergites with narrowly transverse reticulate sculpture; tergite IX setae as long as or longer than tube; tube shorter than head. Male tergite IX setae S2 minute; sternite VIII without pore plate.
This genus is presumably a member of the Haplothripini and related to Dolichothrips. However, the fore wings lack duplicated cilia, there is no fore tarsal tooth, and the third antennal segment bears no more than two sense cones (usually only one sense cone in micrura).
These species are presumably leaf-feeding, with D. micrurus being associated with the foliage of Acacia but possibly also Zizyphus.
Of the 11 species listed in this genus, nine are from Africa and two from southern India. Of the two species listed here, D. karnyi was described from southern Sudan, whereas D. micrurus was described from Egypt, near Cairo, and specimens have been studied from Niger, Iran and Abu Dhabi.
Dolichothrips (Dolicholepta) Priesner, 1932: 198. Type species Dolichothrips giraffa Karny, 1920 [synonym of Liothrips micrura Bagnall], by original designation.
This genus comprises 11 species from the Old World tropics (ThripsWiki, 2023).
Euro-Mediterranean species
Dolicholepta karnyi (Trybom, 1911)
Dolicholepta micrura (Bagnall, 1914)
Minaei K, & Mound LA (2008) The Thysanoptera Haplothripini (Insecta: Phlaeothripidae) of Iran. Journal of Natural History 42(41–42): 2617–2658.
Mound LA (1968) A review of R.S. Bagnall's Thysanoptera collections. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology Supplement 11: 1–181.
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