Key to the species of the subgenus Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus)

Females are difficult to separate, as genital chaetotaxy overlaps broadly among species. Some general guidelines are given below, which may not work for all specimens. A large sample is preferred to achieve a species identification of females using this key, because comparisons of head shapes, morphology of the vulval margin, and shape of the claspers are necessary.

1. Males............................................................................................. 2.

- Females.............................................................................................6.

2. Flagellomere I expanded distally (Fig. 3); temples flat, with margins more or less parallel (Fig. 3).....................3.

- Flagellomere I not expanded distally (Fig. 19); temples bulging (Fig. 19)........................................ 5.

3. Stylus short, with dorsally visible section no more than 1.5 times as long as wide (Fig. 42); proximal margin of ventral sclerite of mesosome concave (Fig. 6).......................................................................... 4.

- Stylus long, with dorsally visible section at least 2.5 times as long as wide, in some specimens tapering slightly distally (Fig. 43); proximal margin of ventral sclerite of mesosome convex (Fig. 37)......... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) longistylus

4. Rugosity of distal mesosome coarse (Fig. 6); lateral extensions of ventral sclerite of mesosome narrowed medianly (Fig. 6); scape not wider than pedicel, not modified basally (Fig. 3).................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) formosanus

- Rugosity of mesosome fine (Fig. 14); lateral extensions of ventral sclerite of mesosome not narrowed medianly (Fig. 14); scape much wider than pedicel, and with anterior bulge near base (Fig. 11)............... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) nitzschi

5. Frons somewhat narrowly pointed (Fig. 26); proximal margin of ventral sclerite of mesosome convex (Fig. 29)................................................................................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) diki

- Frons broadly rounded (Fig. 19); proximal margin of ventral sclerite of mesosome flat (Fig. 22)........................................................................................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) bracatus

6. Median bulge of vulval margin slightly convex (Fig. 16)..................................................... 7.

- Median bulge of vulval margin markedly convex (Fig. 8)..................................................... 9.

7. Preantennal head somewhat pointed (Fig. 25).................................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) diki

- Preantennal head broadly rounded (Fig. 2)................................................................ 8.

8. Lateral lobes of vulval margin usually with less than 20 vulval marginal setae on each side.............................................................................................. Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) formosanus

- Lateral lobes of vulval margin usually with more than 20 vulval marginal setae on each side.............................................................................................. Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) longistylus

9. Claspers slender, subparallel (Fig. 23)...................................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) bracatus

- Claspers wide, curved medianly (Fig. 16).................................... Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) nitzschi