Sminthurus nigromaculatus is almost identical in appearance to the very common Sminthurus viridis. The only differences are in the colouration of the dorsal side of the sixth abdominal segment (two dark spots in Sminthurus nigromaculatus - no spots in Sminthurus viridis) and the number of setae on the subcoxa of the third leg (two in Sminthurus nigromaculatus - one in Sminthurus viridis).
     There are a few scattered literature records for Sminthurus nigromaculatus. However, the few specimens labelled 'Sminthurus nigromaculatus' in the NHML slide collection all have one seta on the subcoxa of the third leg, as do all the specimens labelled Sminthurus viridis. Even if Sminthurus nigromaculatus is a good species (which seems open to doubt), there is no categorical evidence that specimens have ever been collected in Britain or Ireland.

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