Key to separate the genera Paroplitis and Shireplitis

1 Fore wing of normal proportions, its length around 3.0 x its maximum width; fore wing with closed areolet (Figs 5, 10, 12, 17); propodeum rarely entirely sculptured, almost always with a median longitudinal carina (visible at least on anterior 0.5), and sometimes also with complete or partial transverse carina (Figs 7, 8, 15, 19); T2 almost always smooth (Figs 8, 15, 19), rarely partially and slightly sculptured; hypopygium fully sclerotized (Figs 6, 9, 13, 18) although usually sharply folded medially [Holarctic species, usually North of 40° N (Fig. 1); two species, found in Oriental region at high elevation, represent southernmost range of the genus (12–16° N)].................................................... Paroplitis Mason 1981

- Fore wing clearly narrower, its length around 4.0 x its maximum width; fore wing without areolet (Figs 21, 24, 27, 31, 36, 39); propodeum entirely sculptured, without median or transverse carina, but with areola defined on posterior 0.5 of propodeum by two lateral carinae (Figs 22, 25, 28, 33, 34, 37, 42); T2 fully sculptured with longitudinal striation (Figs 22, 25, 28, 33, 37, 42); hypopygium with a translucid median fold where several pleats are clearly visible (Figs 23, 32, 40) [Species restricted to New Zealand (Fig. 2), South of 39° S]................................. Shireplitis Fernández-Triana and Ward, new genus