There are 22 species listed in this genus, of which five are recorded from China: Acallurothrips tubullatus from Guangdong (Wang and Tong 2008), and Acallurothrips casuarinae, Acallurothrips hagai, Acallurothrips hanatanii and Acallurothrips nonakai from Taiwan (Okajima 2006), of which paratypes were studied in ANIC.

Head usually broad; postocular setae usually longer than eye, and pointed at apex; stylets long and wide apart; antennae 7-segmented, VII and VIII usually joined with incomplete or complete suture, III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotum with 4 or 5 pairs of acute setae, sometimes anteroangular setae reduced; notopleural sutures incomplete or complete; basantra present, mesopraesternum reduced a small plate or absent; sternopleural sutures present; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; fore wings broad, usually without duplicated cilia; pelta irregular, usually eroded at posterior margin medially; tergites II–VII with 1 pair of wing-retaining setae; tube usually with sides convex, maximum width more than twice apical width; anal setae much shorter than tube.

There are 24 species listed in this genus, of which three are recorded in China: Allothrips bicolor from Hainan (Han 1997), Allothrips discolor and Allothrips taiwanus from Taiwan (Chen 1982, Okajima 1987). Species of this genus are usually wingless, and are distinguish from other Idolothripinae by the unusually large terminal sensorium on the maxillary palp (Fig. 45), and the 7-segmented antennae.

Head slightly longer than broad; dorsum of head usually with 3 or 4 pairs of well developed capitate setae; maxillary palp terminal sensorium stout, stylets long and wide apart; antennae 7-segmented, morphological VII and VIII completely fused, III with 2 sensoria, IV with 2; pronotal major setae usually expanded, notopleural sutures incomplete or complete; basantra present, mesopraesternum reduced; sternopleural sutures present; fore tarsal tooth usually absent in female, present in male; usually aptera; pelta broad, with obviously lateral lobes; tube straight sided, usually shorter than head; anal setae usually slightly longer than tube.

Currently there are 53 species listed in this genus, of which seven have been recorded from China: Bactrothrips brevitubus, Bactrothrips elongatus, Bactrothrips flectoventris, Bactrothrips furvescrus, Bactrothrips honoris, Bactrothrips pictipes and Bactrothrips quadrituberculatus. Dang and Qiao (2012a) provided an identification key to these seven species, based on morphological and DNA barcoding data. The genus Bactrothrips is closely related to Megathrips, and differs from Megalothrips in usually having shorter maxillary stylets.

Head much longer than width across eyes, usually prolonged in front of eyes; eyes usually equally developed ventrally and dorsally, sometimes obviously prolonged on ventral surface (Bactrothrips flectoventris); dorsum of head usually with 4 pairs of well-developed setae; stylets short and far apart, or long and close together; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotum usually with 5 pairs of well-developed major setae, sometimes epimeral accessory setae also well-developed, notopleural sutures incomplete or complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings usually fully developed with numerous duplicated cilia, sometimes apterous; fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes; pelta broad, with two lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tergites V–VIII of male with or without lateral tubercles; tube surface with numerous fine setae; anal setae much shorter than tube.

There are 17 species listed in this genus, although none have previously been recorded from China. However, specimens from Northern China representing two unidentified species of this genus are available in NZMC.

Head usually longer than wide, projecting in front of eyes; eyes strongly prolonged ventrally; postocular setae well-developed; stylets V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 or 1 sensoria, IV with 3 or 2; pronotal major setae pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings, if present, with numerous duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male; pelta broad, rounded triangular; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae about as long as tube.

There are 27 species listed in this genus, of which three are recorded from China: Compsothrips reticulates, Compsothrips sinensis and Compsothrips tenebronus (Guo and Feng 2006, Pelikan 1961, Han and Cui 1991). Dang et al. (2013) transferred Ophthalmothrips tenebronus Han & Cui to Compsothrips as a new combination, and also placed Cryptothrips furvus Reyes from Philippines as a new synonym of that species. Pelikan (1961) described Compsothrips sinensis from Guangdong, China based on a single female specimen, and indicated that the holotype was deposited in NZMC, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. However, that specimen has not been found in NZMC, nor is it in the Pelikan collection in Slovakia, and it is possibly lost. From the original description, Compsothrips sinensis cannot be distinguished with Compsothrips tenebronus, and they may represent the same species, so Compsothrips sinensis is here excluded from the key below.

Head much longer than wide, projecting in front of eyes; eyes strongly prolonged ventrally; postocular setae well-developed, one pair of ocellar setae developed; stylets V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 or 1 sensoria, IV with 2, sensoria small; pronotal major setae expanded, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures complete; usually apterous; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; pelta broad, rounded triangular; abdominal tergites usually without sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae shorter or a little longer than tube.

There are 12 species listed in this genus, of which only one, Cryptothrips nigripes, is known from China, this Palaearctic species having been recorded from Inner Mongolia by Dang et al. (2013). Also Cryptothrips sauteri was described from Taiwan, but judging from the original description it was based on a single specimen that lacks antennae. This species cannot be recognized, and even its generic relationship remains unknown. The original specimen is not in the Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt, where so many of Karny’s specimens are deposited, and is probably lost. The references in Mirab-balou (2011) are simply bibliographic quotations.

Head longer than wide; eyes equally developed ventrally and dorsally; postocular setae well-developed, ocellar setae usually small; stylets long and close together medially; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 3; pronotal major setae usually pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present; wings, if present, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male, absent in female; pelta broad, with two slender lobes; abdominal tergites III–VI with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae usually shorter than tube.

This genus comprises six Asian species, of which four are recorded from southern China, Dinothrips hainanensis, Dinothrips juglandis, Dinothrips spinosus and Dinothrips sumatrensis. Species of this genus can be recognised by the pelta divided into three separate parts, and the males with the mesothoracic spiracular area curiously expanded into a prominent process (Mound and Palmer 1983). Species differ in the shape of this process in males, but females cannot be identified to species with any certainty. The spiracular process of males varies with body size within Dinothrips spinosus, and the shape also varies in slide-mounted specimens due to cover-slip pressure. As a result, it seems likely that Dinothrips hainanensis is the same species as Dinothrips spinosus. Here, the key to three species of Dinothrips Dinothrips from China excludes Dinothrips hainanensis.

Head much longer than wide, projecting slightly in front of eyes, cheeks with numbers of stout setae; eyes equally developed ventrally and dorsally; postocular setae well developed, interocellar setae usually developed; stylets V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major setae usually pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesothoracic spiracular area of male usually prolonged into prominent process; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings, if present, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes, a series tubercles present on inner margin of fore tibiae in large males; pelta divided into one large median lobe, 2 small lateral lobes; abdominal tergites III–VI with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae usually shorter than tube.

Species of this genus can be found in all tropical countries, and 141 species are currently listed, with eight recorded from China: Elaphrothrips denticollis, Elaphrothrips jacobsoni, Elaphrothrips greeni, Elaphrothrips spiniceps, Elaphrothrips fulmeki, Elaphrothrips insignis, Elaphrothrips malayensis and Elaphrothrips procer. The last four are here newly recorded from China, but there are also several undescribed species represented in NZMC. The species Elaphrothrips denticollis is widespread in Southern China, and shares most characters with Elaphrothrips malayensis, especially fore tarsi elongate. There is no satisfactory differentiation between these two species, although Palmer and Mound (1978) distinguished Elaphrothrips denticollis from Elaphrothrips malayensis by antennal segments IV–V being uniformly brown or with the basal stem light brown. This is difficult to assess in many specimens that have been slightly bleached. There is a similar problem with Elaphrothrips fulmeki and Elaphrothripsw malayensis that are distinguished only by antennal segment VI with the basal 1/5 brown or pale. Currently, the identification of some Elaphrothrips species is not satisfactory.

Head much longer than wide, projecting in front of eyes, cheeks usually with numbers of stout setae; eyes equally developed ventrally and dorsally, or a little prolonged ventrally; postocular setae well-developed, interocellar setae well developed, and one pair of median dorsal setae usually developed; stylets short and V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major developed setae usually pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete or nearly complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings, if present, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male, absent in female, fore femur of large males usually with sickle-shaped seta on external apical margin; pelta broad, two lateral lobes broadly joined with middle one; abdominal tergites III–VI with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae usually shorter than tube.

This genus currently comprises 37 species, of which eight are recorded from China: Ethirothrips brevis, Ethirothrips indicus, Ethirothrips obscurus, Ethirothrips chui and Ethirothrips virgulae from Taiwan, Ethirothrips longisetis and Ethirothrips vitreipennis from Hainan, and Ethirothrips stenomelas from Guangdong and Hainan. However, Ethirothrips virgulae is here newly recorded from mainland China at Guangxi. In this study, type-specimens of two species of Chen (Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taichung) were checked, but unfortunately they are so poor that most characters could not be studied.

Head usually longer than width across eyes; eyes small, equally developed ventrally and dorsally; postocular setae well-developed; stylets long, V-shaped or sub-parallel; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV 4; pronotal major setae pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings, if present, with numerous duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male; pelta broad, with two broad lateral lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

There are 38 species listed in this genus, of which five are recorded from China: Gastrothrips fuscatus, Gastrothrips fulviceps, Gastrothrips mongolicus, Gastrothrips eurypelta, also Gastrothrips monticola that was described from Japan by Okajima (2006) but is here newly recorded from Inner Mongolia, China. One species, Gastrothrips fulviceps, was described by Hood (1937) from Peru with the head and antennae colored distinctively, and this species was recorded from Taiwan by Kudo (1974) as Nesothrips fulviceps (Hood). Gastrothrips mongolicus which was described by Pelikan (1965) based on two females, was first recorded from China by Cao et al. (2009) together with a new species Gastrothrips eurypelta. However, Cao et al. (2009) indicated in a key that the postocular setae of Gastrothrips mongolicus are pointed at the apex, and was the only difference given from Gastrothrips eurypelta. However, the description of Gastrothrips mongolicus stated that these setae are blunt, also the pronotal major setae. Furthermore, although the description of Gastrothrips eurypelta did not mention the ventral shape of the eyes, the illustration indicated the eyes are slightly prolonged ventrally, as is illustrated for Gastrothrips mongolicus by Okajima (2006). Thus Gastrothrips eurypelta is probably a synonym of Gastrothrips mongolicus, and is excluded from the key below.

Head usually as long as broad, or a little longer; eyes normal, usually equally developed ventrally and dorsally; postocular setae well-developed; stylets usually V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 1 or 2 sensoria, IV with 3; pronotal major setae pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures complete or incomplete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present; wings, if present, with or without numerous duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male; pelta triangular, or with two broad lateral lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tube surface smooth, without prominent setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

There are four species listed in this genus. Only Holurothrips morikawai is recorded from China, and this species is here newly recorded from Taiwan.

Head much longer than broad, with elongate projection in front of eyes; eyes obviously prolonged ventrally; 2 pairs of postoculars, 2 pairs of interocellars and 1 pair of postocellars well developed; cheeks with 1 pair of stout setae; stylets V- or U-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 2 or 4; pronotal with 5 pairs of major developed setae, anteroangulars close to midlaterals, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings, if well developed, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes, femur with a few stout setae; pelta wide, with two broad lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 or 3 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube elongate, with prominent lateral setae; anal setae much shorter than tube.

Of the 14 species included in this genus, three are recorded from China: Machatothrips antennatus, Machatothrips artocarpi and Machatothrips celosia. Several specimens of Machatothrips antennatus and Machatothrips artocarpi have been studied in ANIC, and these were identified from the types. The third species, Machatothrips celosia, was described from Taiwan and is added to the key below based on the key to 14 species by Palmer and Mound (1978).

Head much longer than broad; eyes normal; 1 pair of postoculars well-developed, also 1 pair of interocellars and 1 pair of vertex setae; stylets V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotum usually with 5 pairs of major setae, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore wings with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; females with fore femur bearing a row of tubercles on inner margin; pelta broadly triangular; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube longer than head, without prominent lateral setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

The 14 species included in this genus involve some of the largest Thysanoptera, and in the proventriculus of adults there is a prominent basket-like structure that is probably involved in crushing the fungus spores on which these species feed (Tree et al. 2010). A similar structure also occurs in species of Elaphrothrips. Four species are recorded from China: Mecynothrips kanoi, Mecynothrips pugilator, Mecynothrips simplex and Mecynothrips taiwanus, of which Mecynothrips simplex is here newly recorded from China based on four females and eight males from Yunnan and Hainan Provinces. Okajima (1979) described Mecynothrips taiwanus from Taiwan, and this can be distinguished from Mecynothrips pugilator by having a longer preocular projection from base of antennal segment I to anterior margin of eyes about 1.5 times as long as wide, whereas in Mecynothrips pugilator this is about as long as wide. The species Mecynothrips kanoi was described from Taiwan, but the depositary of the syntypes is unknown, and no useful characters can be taken from the simple original description. Therefore, Mecynothrips kanoi is excluded in the following key to Chinese species of Mecynothrips.

Head much longer than broad, with prominent projection in front of eyes; eyes normal; 2 pairs of postoculars developed, also 1 pair of anterocellars well-developed, and 1 pair of postocellars; stylets short, V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major setae pointed or blunt, notopleural sutures usually complete, often incomplete; basantra present; mesopraesternum developed; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore wings with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male, absent in female, fore tibiae sometimes with seta-bearing apical tubercle in male, fore femur with a tumor or tubercles on inner margin in large male; pelta broad, with two prominent lateral lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 or 3 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube smooth, without prominent lateral setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

Of the eight species included in this genus, only Megalothrips roundus is recorded from China. The significance of four genera in the subtribe Idolothripina, Bactrothrips, Megalothrips, Megathrips, and Meiothrips, remains problematic (Dang and Qiao 2012a), and further studies are needed on the inter-relationships between the Holarctic and tropical faunas. The species of Megalothrips are identified by their remarkably elongate stylets which are close together medially, but they share other character states with Bactrothrips and Megathrips species.

Head much longer than broad, without prominent projection in front of eyes; eyes small; 1 pair of postoculars short, 1 pair of interocellars well-developed, and 1 pair of vertex setae usually longer than postoculars; stylets elongate, reaching eyes and close together; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal setae vary, anteroangulars close to midlaterals, notopleural sutures reduced; basantra present; mesopraesternum developed; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore wings with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes; pelta hat-shaped, with two slender lateral lobes narrowly fused; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tergite VI with a pair of tubercles laterally in male; tube with prominent lateral setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

There are seven species listed in this genus, of which two, Megathrips lativentris and Megathrips antennatus, are recorded from northern China. The original description of Megathrips antennatus states that it differs in having the pelta divided into three parts in contrast to the European species Megathrips lativentris that has the two lobes narrowly joined to the median one (Figs 25, 26). However, we studied the types of Megathrips antennatus, and in one paratype the left lobe of the pelta is separated from median one but the right lobe is narrowly joined to the median one. Furthermore, a female and a male from England studied in ANIC show that the lateral lobes of pelta slightly joined to the median one, or close to separate (Fig. 47). As a result, Megathrips antennatus Guo, Feng & Duan (2005) is here considered to be a new synonym of Megathrips lativentris (Heeger). Mound and Palmer (1983) indicated that Megathrips could be distinguished from Bactrothrips only by the slightly larger head and more deeply retracted stylets. However, in China, Megathrips and Bactrothrips species are similar in having the stylets short and V-shaped, but the lateral lobes of the pelta are broadly fused to the median lobe in Bactrothrips species whereas these lateral lobes are separate or narrowly joined in Megathrips species (Dang and Qiao 2012a).

Head usually longer than width across eyes, slightly prolonged in front of eyes; eyes normal; interocellar, postocellar, postocular and mid-dorsal setae usually well-developed; stylets far apart; antennae 8-segmented, segment III shorter than head width across eyes, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major setae usually well developed, anteroangulars close to midlaterals, notopleural sutures incomplete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings usually fully developed with numerous duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes; pelta always broad, lateral lobes narrowly joined to median major lobe, or separated; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tergite VI with a pair of long lateral tubercles in male, tubercles on VIII small; tube usually shorter than head, with numerous lateral setae; anal setae shorter than tube.

Dang and Qiao (2012b) provided a key to the five known species of Meiothrips, of which three are recorded from China: Meiothrips fuscicrus, Meiothrips menoni and Meiothrips nepalensis. Moreover, Meiothrips baishanzuensis Duan & Li from Henan Province was synonymised with Bactrothrips brevitubus Takahashi by Dang and Qiao (2012a).

Head much longer than width across eyes, prolonged in front of eyes, usually shorter than broad except in one species (Meiothrips kurosawai) about twice as long as broad; eyes normal or clearly prolonged on ventral surface; interocellar, postocellar, postocular, mid-dorsal and posterior-dorsal setae usually well-developed, sometimes small; stylets short and far apart; antennae 8-segmented, very slender, segment III usually more than twice head width across eyes, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major setae usually well developed, sometimes aa small and epimeral accessory setae always minute, notopleural sutures incomplete; basantra present; mesopraesternum boat-shaped; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; wings usually fully developed with or without numerous duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth absent in both sexes, femora with several spine-setae; pelta always broad, lateral lobes broadly joined to median lobe; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; male tergites V–VIII without lateral tubercles; tube much longer than head, with numerous lateral setae, sometimes with 2 rows of stout tubercles and many large and small tubercles or denticles on dorsal surface; anal setae much shorter than tube.

There are 28 species listed in this genus, of which three are recorded from China: Nesothrips brevicollis, Nesothrips lativentris and Nesothrips peltatus. A further species, Nesothrips atropoda Duan et al. (1998) from Henan Province, was treated by Dang et al. (2013) as a synonym of the widespread Asian species Nesothrips brevicollis.

Head various, usually wider than long; eyes normal, sometimes prolonged ventrally; 1 pair of postoculars well-developed, sometimes postocellar setae elongate; stylets V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 4; pronotal major setae pointed or slightly blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum developed; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present; fore wings, if well developed, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in male, absent in female; pelta broadly hat-shaped; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tube smooth without lateral setae; anal setae usually slightly shorter than tube.

Of the 11 species included in this genus, four are recorded from China: Ophthalmothrips formosanus, Ophthalmothrips longiceps, Ophthalmothrips miscanthicola and Ophthalmothrips yunnanensis. This last species was based on one female and three males, and the description indicates that it is unusual in having the tergal wing-retaining setae small and straight in macropterae (Cao et al. 2010). Ophthalmothrips formosanus is here newly recorded from mainland China, in Henan Province.

Head longer than broad, projecting in front of eyes; eyes distinctly prolonged ventrally; 1 pair of postoculars well developed, 1 pair of interocellar setae elongate; stylets short, V-shaped; antennae 8-segmented, segment III with 2 sensoria, IV with 2 or 4; pronotum usually with 4 pairs of major setae, anteromarginals short, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum developed; metathoracic sternopleural sutures absent; fore wings, if well developed, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present or absent; pelta broadly triangular; abdominal tergites II–VII usually each with 2 pairs of sigmoid wing-retaining setae; tube smooth without lateral setae; anal setae various.

There are 20 species listed in the genus, of which 16 are known only from Australia. Phaulothrips solifer, described from Taiwan, is the only member of the genus known from China. A paratype female and male on loan from Japan have been studied here.

Head much longer than broad; eyes normal, sometimes prolonged dorsally; 1 pair of postoculars well developed, close together, anterocellar setae usually elongate; cheeks with 1 pair of stout setae just behind eye; stylets long, close together medially; antennae 8-segmented, segments III–IV each with 2 sensoria; pronotal major setae pointed or slightly blunt, notopleural sutures complete; basantra present; mesopraesternum developed; metathoracic sternopleural sutures present; fore wings, if well-developed, with duplicated cilia; fore tarsal tooth present in both sexes; pelta broad, with two slender lateral lobes; abdominal tergites II–VII each with 1 pair of sigmoid wing-retaining setae in macroptera; tube smooth without lateral setae; anal setae shorter than tube.