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Abstract Background Stethorini are specialized mite predators in the family Coccinellidae, which are small with black body and brown or yellow colored appendages. This study aimed to survey species of Stethorini associated with phytophagous mites of South India and their prey range. Results Eight species of Stethorini, viz., Parastethorus sp. Stethorus (Allostethorus) forficatus, S. (A.) pauperculus, S. (A.) tetranychi, S. (A.) sp., S. keralicus, S. (S.) rani and S. (S.) sp., each associated with distinct species of mite were identified in this study and part of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences of seven of these species are provided. Barcode gap analysis and distance summary analysis in the BOLD system as well as phylogenetic analysis of these seven species were given. Conclusions This study revealed the species of Stethorini in South India along with their prey range and associated plants. As all the species look similar with black body and yellow appendages, DNA barcodes generated can be used as an effective bio-identification tool for this group.

Extensive surveys were undertaken across Kerala during 2018-22, to explore the diversity of aphid fauna associated with different flora. The study recorded 25 species of aphids under 17 genera in four tribes belonging to four subfamilies of Aphididae. Aphidinae was the predominant subfamily, followed by Greenideinae, Hormaphidinae and Eriosomatinae. Aphidinae was represented by two tribes, Aphidini and Macrosiphini. The tribes Aphidini (Aphis(L.), Rhopalosiphum Koch, Hysteroneura Davis and Melanaphis van der Goot) and Macrosiphini (Pentalonia Coquerel, Brevicoryne van der Goot, Macrosiphoniella del Guercio, Macrosiphum Passerini, Metopolophium Mordvilko, Acyrthosiphon Mordvilko, Uroleucon Mordvilko and Aulacorthum Mordvilko) were represented by four and eight genera, respectively. The subfamily Greenideinae was represented by two genera in a single tribe (Greenideini); Hormaphidinae represented by two genera in a single tribe (Cerataphidini), while only one genus in a single tribe (Eriosomatini) was recorded in the subfamily Eriosomatinae. The genus Aphis was the most diverse with five species. Aphis gossypii Glover exhibited a wider host range with 20 host plants. The study records new distribution of three aphid species from south India and seven species from Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]