S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 58. (Budapest, 1997)
tions might have continued to exist. Among extant heterothripids, areae are developed in males regularly on sternites II1-VIII in both Heterothrips Hood (1908: 361) and Ropotamothrips Pelikan (1958: 431), but solely on sternite VII in Holarthrothrips Bagnall (1927: 562). The presence of an area on six sternites has outlasted as a character until recent time in the first two genera just mentioned (Heterothripidae), whereas five of the six possible sternites got rid of an area in the third genus (Adiheterothripidae). In Thripidae the above matter is somewhat more complex. While the males of the majority of genera have kept the areae, those of a few genera do not show any sign of an area. Even in a single genus like Thrips, five different constellation patterns of sternal glands and areae do occur (see Table 4). According to the phylogenetic interpretation discussed here, conferticornis is in this particular regard (areae on sternites III —VIII) the most ancestral representative of the genus. On the other hand, the three species asparagi zur Strassen (1968: 48), méditer ramus Priesner (1934: 276), and panousei zur Strassen (1968: 55) (each with areae porosae on sternites III and IV only) are the most advanced one. Besides the unique number of areae, conferticornis exhibits additional characters being regarded as ancestral also: Discal setae present on sternites and pleurotergites, and comb of microtrichia on hind margin of tergite VIII complete. The combination of the latter three characters are developed among the 56 species having 7-segmented antennae in only two other species, microchaetus Karny (1920: 27) and praetermissus Priesner (19206: 58). OUTLOOK The recognition of a feasible systematical sequence within Thrips may lead to a better understanding of the relationships between certain species and species groups. In preparing a key to the European and Mediterranean species of that genus an attempt was made to combine the two goals, that is application of distinguishing features used in taxonomy, and, indication of possible phylogenetic lines. When dividing the Thrips species into taxonomical/phylogenetical groups the question as to the evaluation of the characters involved has to be taken into an account, even if a final answer cannot be given so far. Not to forget the problem that a certain character in the one taxon is regarded as of a higher phylogenetical value than can be conceded for the same character in an other taxon. Acknowledgement - I am very grateful to Prof. Dr. L. A. Mound (London and Canberra) for his comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript, and also Mrs. A. Vesmanis for typing the manuscript. REFERENCES Bagnall, R. S. (1926): Contributions towards a knowledge of the European Thysanoptera, 1. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (9) 18: 641-661. Bagnall, R. S. (1927): Contributions towards a knowledge of the European Thysanoptera, III. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (9) 20: 561-585. Bagnall, R. S. (1933): Contributions towards a knowledge of the European Thysanoptera. IV. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (10) 11: 647-661.
