Xyloperthini Lesne 1921

Key to the Afrotropical genera of Xyloperthini Lesne, 1921

Lesne (1901) offered the first key to the genera of Xyloperthini. Since that time many new genera have been added to the tribe (see Introduction). Liu & Sittichaya (2022) provided a key to the Oriental genera of the tribe. Here we add a key to the ten genera present in the Afrotropical region (only the three (ex 17) species of Xylopsocus which occur in the region have been included).

1. Antennae with 9 segments................................................................................................................ 2

– Antennae with 10 segments.............................................................................................................. 3

2. Antennal club segments 1‒2 with distinct sensory maculae near anterior margin; frons with erect, long hairlike setae; pronotum without lateral carinae and postero-lateral angles rounded................................................................................................ Enneadesmus Mulsant, 1851

– Antennal club without distinct sensory maculae; frons without long hairlike setae; pronotum with lateral carinae and postero-lateral angles almost rectangular......................................................................................................................................................... Xylopsocus capucinus (Fabricius, 1781)

3. Asymmetrical pronotum with more accentuated development of the right anterior part................................................................................................................................. Amintinus Anonymous, 1939

– Symmetrical pronotum..................................................................................................................... 4

4. Frons with long hairlike setae........................................................................................................... 5

– Frons without long hairlike setae...................................................................................................... 6

5. Smaller species, 3‒4.5 mm long. Pronotum without lateral carinae; postero-lateral angles rounded; a pair of long spines on sides of 3 rd ventrite, and posterior margin of 5 th ventrite of female sinuate................................................................................................................................ Xylionopsis Lesne, 1937

– Larger species, 5.5‒8.5 mm long. Pronotum with lateral carinae which form distinct postero-lateral angles; ventrites simple in female.................................................................. Xylothrips Lesne, 1901

6. Antennal club without distinct sensory maculae; last ventrite of male without pleural pieces; ventrites simple in female................................................................................................................................ 7

– Antennal club segments 1‒2 with distinct sensory maculae near anterior margin; last ventrite of male with pleural pieces; ventrites modified in female............................................................................. 8

7. Body: 3.3‒10 mm long. Pronotum without lateral carinae, postero-lateral angles rounded; apical margin of declivity with tiny, V-shaped emargination with raised sides. Xyloperthella Fisher, 1950

– Body: 3‒5 mm long. Pronotum with lateral carinae forming distinct postero-lateral angles; apical margin of declivity entire with slightly raised apex.......................................................................................................................................................... Xylopsocus Lesne, 1901 (castanoptera, sellatus)

8. Length of body greater than 6 mm. Postero-lateral angles of pronotum obvious; apical margin of declivity with U-shaped emargination with raised sides, and a deep emargination of postero-lateral margin on each side near to apex; female ventrites modified on 5 th ventrite only.................................................................................................................................................. Plioxylion Vrydagh, 1955

– Length of body less than 6 mm. Postero-lateral angles of pronotum rounded; apical margin of declivity with V-shaped emargination in both sexes, or at least in male; female ventrites modified on 4 th or 3 rd and 4 th ventrites................................................................................................................... 9

9. Antennal club segments 1‒2 without distinct sensory maculae...................... Plesioxylion gen. nov.

– Antennal club segments 1‒2 with distinct sensory maculae near anterior margin......................... 10

10. Elytral declivity with 3 pairs of spines, the largest pair in middle of upper margin; apical margin with V-shaped emargination with raised margins, and a deep emargination on each postero-lateral margin. Female abdomen with modified 3 rd to 5 th ventrites................................. Xylion Lesne, 1901

– Elytral declivity with two pairs of small spines on upper margin; apical margin with a small V-shaped emargination with raised margins, but without emargination of postero-lateral margin. Female abdomen with modified 4 th and 5 th ventrites................................................. Xylionulus Lesne, 1901