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The genus Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal, 1986 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Halyini) is recorded for the first time from India. Prior to this publication, the genus was monotypic so far, containing only Lodosocoris azhari Ahmad & Afzal, 1986 from Pakistan. Herein, the genus Lodosocoris is redescribed along with the description of Lodosocoris santhae sp. nov., based on specimens from Arunachal Pradesh, a region in northeastern India. Lodosocoris santhae sp. nov is described and illustrated based on male and female genitalia. The diagnostic characters of the new species are compared with L. azhari.

Gupta, Ankita, Achterberg, Cornelis Van, Pattar, Rohit, Navik, Omprakash, Mahendiran, G. (2022): Two new species of the genera Leiophron Nees and Paroligoneurus Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from northern India. Zootaxa 5175 (5): 593-599, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5175.5.8

The cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero is one of the most serious pests of cassava worldwide, which got recently introduced into India (traced in Kerala) as a potential invasive pest. Studies were carried out to record the incidence of mealybug, P. manihoti and its natural enemies on different varieties of cassava in Namakkal dt. of Tamil Nadu during June 2020. The observations were taken in the field in situ as well in the collected mealybug infested twigs in the laboratory. Results revealed that all the three surveyed cassava varieties viz. , Mulluvadi, Thailand white and Shree Atulya were found severely infested with cassava mealybug. A huge number of coccinellid beetles were collected from the P. manihoti colonies, which were identified as Hyperaspis maindroni Sicard, 1929 (Coccinellidae:Coccinellinae:Hyperaspidini). Molecular characterization of both grub and adult beetle of H. maindroni was carried out to confirm its identity.

Lodosocoris santhae Salini sp. nov. LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org: act: 18EE4C38-0A6C-405E-BDEC-3ACD056A09BA (Figs. 1���20) Type locality. India: Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh [28.0619�� N, 95.3260�� E]. Type material. Holotype: ♂ (NIM), ��� INDIA: Arunachal Pradesh, Pasighat, Sirukki Waterfall, 04.xi.2017, Amala.U // HOLOTYPUS, LODOSOCORIS SANTHAE sp.nov., det. Salini. S., 2021[p, red label]���. Holotype is pinned, the dissected male genitalia placed in a plastic microvial with glycerol attached to the same pin, all parts intact. Paratypes (1 ♂ 2 ♀): India: Arunachal Pradesh: 1 ♀, Pasighat, Sirukki Waterfall, 04.xi.2017, Amala. U. (NIM), dissected female genitalia placed in a plastic microvial with glycerol attached to the same pin and the dissected abdominal terga and sterna glued on card; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Pasighat, 19.iii.2017, ex Mango, Mahendiran. G. (NIM), left hind leg of female specimen glued on card. Each bearing the following identification label: ��� PARATYPUS / LODOSOCORIS SANTHAE / sp. nov. / det. Salini. S., 2021 [p, yellow label] ��� Description. Colouration. Dorsum (Fig. 1) including head dark brown to black, mottled with irregular, yellowish markings; lateral margins of head, pronotum (except lateral margins of humeri) and hemelytra, pale yellow. Antennae, black except ventral half of antennal segment I and base of antennal segment V, yellow. Connexivum bright yellow except anterior and posterior 1/3 rd of connexival segments including the short spinous process on posterolateral margins of each connexival segments, black; small, narrow, transverse stripe joining with anterior margin of each connexival segment pale white, sometimes with reddish tinge. Membrane, smoky brown with base, venation and a few markings on the membrane, black. Ventral surface (Fig. 2) medially bright yellow with the head, thoracic sterna and abdominal sterna laterally black except the following: base of head, narrow lateral stripe anteriorly connecting base of antennae, rim of bucculae including the denticle-like process on anterior apex, three moderate sized irregular spots each on pro and mesopleura: two adjacent to respective coxal cavities and one towards lateral margin, outer margins of ostiolar plate, peritreme, a longitudinal spot on evaporatorium, a median large round spot on lateral margins of each abdominal sternites III���VII, bright yellow. Mesosternum medially with a large shining black spot and a moderate sized black spot present medially on metasternum. Labium with segment I yellow, segments II���III black medially and yellow laterally, segment IV, black. Spiracular outline,lateral muscle scars of abdominal sternites III���VII and a small nearly round spot posterolaterad of each spiracle and a median, longitudinal spot on abdominal sternite VII, black. Legs ochraceous (sometimes with elongate reddish streak especially on dorsal surface of femora and tibiae of all legs) except anterior 1/4 th and posterior 1/3 rd of all tibiae, black; tarsi ochraceous except tarsal segments III, black. Integument and vestiture. Dorsum including head, pronotum, scutellum and hemelytra covered with dense, round punctures, black. Connexivum with dense, fine concolourous punctures. Ventral side of head and thoracic sterna with coarse, dense punctures, black. Abdomen on ventral side with punctures fine, denser towards sublateral margin. Legs with dense, coarse punctures, black. Body not completely glabrous: lateral margin of pronotum including margin basal to humeri with medium sized silvery white setae. Antennae with short, pale, semi erect setae sparsely distributed. On ventral side, lateral margins of propleura and ventral side of humeri with short, thin silvery white setae. Abdomen on ventral side with short pubescence. Labium and legs with semi erect, thin pale yellow setae. Male genitalia (caudal 1/3rd including the dorsal and ventral rim, the finger-like processes laterally on infoldings of ventral rim) possess moderately elongate, golden setae. Female genitalia (valvifers VIII, IX, abdominal segment X, laterotergite VIII and IX) with moderately elongate, golden setae. Structure. Head (Figs. 3���4) with mandibular plates as long as or shorter than clypeus; lateral margins of mandibular plates with minute, triangular tooth in front of compound eyes (Fig. 4), sometimes absent (Fig. 3). Antennomeres from shortest to longest: IPronotum. Anterolateral angles lacking denticle, rather rectangulate; posterolateral angles indistinct, posterolateral margins of pronotum oblique and posterior margin straight. Disc of pronotum moreorless flat with a narrow transverse impression on anterior half of pronotal disc. Scutellum. Longer than wide at base, apex rounded. Disc of scutellum more or less flat, central 1/3 rd of scutellar disc laterally with oblique impression. Hemelytra. Membrane translucent, widely rounded apically, bearing 6���7 prominent and simple veins. Thoracic pleura and sterna. Evaporatorium developed as subtrapezoidal patch on metapleuron, and a narrow transverse stripe anteriad of metathoracic spiracle on mesopleuron. Legs. Tarsi with II tarsomere shortest, tarsomere I and III subequal. Pregenital abdomen nearly as broad as pronotum across humeri. Posterolateral angles of ventite III���VII with short, stout and acute spines. Male genitalia (Figs. 6, 8���17). Genital capsule (Figs. 8���10) quadrangular with posterolateral lobes (=caudal lobes) well developed. Dorsal rim (dr) shallow, widely excavated concave with narrow, median emargination, the anterior margin of median emargination slightly concave; dorsal rim laterally ends in short, roughly subtriangular finger-like projection (dfp) placed at oblique angle to posterolateral lobes, apex of finger-like projection rounded (Fig. 8); infoldings of dorsal rim well developed, deeply impressed laterad of dorsal sinus; dorsal sinus semiovate. Ventral rim (vr) shallowly concave with 1+1 tumescence at the centre separated by a U-shaped margin; infoldings of ventral rim laterally with short, stout finger-like process (vfp), placed inner and basal to posterolateral lobes. Paramere (Figs. 11���12) with crown broad, semicircular and plate-like. A beak-like, upwardly directed projection, inner laterad to crown. Outer margin of parameral crown arcuately rounded, forming U-shaped concavity with beaklike projection; narrow, elongate sclerotized region with small, scale-like structures, extending from base to apex of beak-like projection. Base of the crown with another short, blunt projection on inner margin (ibp); stem indistinct; apodeme plate-like. Articulatory apparatus (arp) (Fig. 13). Basal plate and support bridge complex, fused to form a cup-like structure; capitate processes (cp) modified into small, cone-like structures. Phallus (Figs. 14���17). Phallotheca broad and constricted proximally; dorsal walls lightly convex in lateral view; ventral wall convex anterior 2/3 rd and slightly concave towards posterior end (=proximal end), proximal end of phallotheca ventromedially with short, stout tubercle (vt); fully inflated phallus with single pair of conjunctival processes, large, membranous and subdivided into mainly two parts: a basal part (bp) encircling the processes of aedeagus and the apical part (ap) possessing one pair of elongate arm-like lateral processes; a pair of short finger-like processes(flp) at centre of apical conjunctival processes, bend towards ventral side and 1+1 narrow, rod-like, short and apically acuminate processes (aap) originating from basal portion of conjunctival processes in dorsolateral position, resting over phallotheca, extending up to anterior 1/4 th of phallotheca; basal part of conjunctival process on ventral side modified into two subtriangular lobes (sl), joined proximally and separated distally. Processes of aedeagus (pa) well sclerotized, large rod-like paired structures transversely positioned, fused proximally, but separated throughout its length and resting over the shallow inner groove of the subtriangular lobes; aedeagus (ad) elongate tube-like slightly S-shaped with apex directed towards ventral side; phallotreme oblique. Female genitalia (Figs. 18���20). Terminalia. Valvifers VIII (vlf VIII) transverse, broad and roughly subquadrangular, with mesial margins distinctly straight; inner posterolateral angles rounded; posterior margin slightly concave, sublaterally slightly extended into flap-like; valvifers IX (vlf IX) single, transverse, large sclerite, anterior half less sclerotized and fused with ring sclerites ventrally, posterior half roughly trapezoidal with nearly straight posterior margin; laterotergites IX (lt IX) oblique, elongate, roughly oval, most of the central region impressed; laterotergite VIII (lt VIII) subtriangular fused centrally with a narrow, straight region. Gynatrium. Spermathecal opening is guarded by two U-shaped sclerites (us) facing each other, anterior one slightly large and dorsal one small; a pair of ring sclerites (rs) visible as small round structures (Fig. 19). Spermatheca (Fig. 20). Spermathecal dilation long, regularly, obliquely fluted externally; distal spermathecal duct (dsd) narrow, helical and longer than proximal one; proximal spermathecal duct narrow and tubular; proximal flange shorter than distal flange; apical receptacle (ar) hemispherical, without any ductules (Fig. 20). Measurements (mm).Males(n=2);median(minimum���maximum).Bodylength15.66(15.57���15.74);head:length 3.30 (3.25���3.35), width (including eyes) 2.92 (2.90���2.93), interocular width 1.65 (1.58���1.72); lengths of antennal segments:I���0.98(0.96���0.99),IIa���2.00(1.92���2.08),IIb���2.49(2.42���2.55),III���3.01(2.69���3.32),IV���2.61(2.43���2.78); lengths of labial segments: I���1.64 (1.60���1.67), II���3.03 (2.98���3.08), III���2.46 (2.43���2.49), IV���1.50 (1.41���1.58); pronotum: length 3.19 (3.17���3.2), width (including humeri) 7.24 (7.17���7.3); scutellum: length 4.99 (4.90���5.08), width (at basal angles) 4.41 (4.35���4.46). Females (n = 2); median (minimum���maximum). Body length 18.66 (18.38���18.94); head: length 3.90 (3.80��� 4.00), width (including eyes) 3.14 (3.07���3.21), interocular width 1.79 (1.70���1.88); lengths of antennal segments: I ���0.96 (0.94���0.97), IIa���2.04 (1.96���2.12), IIb���2.43 (2.29���2.57), III���3.03 (2.98���3.08), IV ���2.55 (2.47���2.62); length of labial segments: I ���1.70 (1.68���1.71), II���3.33 (3.31���3.35), III���2.82 (2.74���2.89), IV���1.59 (1.49���1.68); pronotum: length 3.74 (3.61���3.86), width (including humeri) 8.29 (7.89���8.69); scutellum: length 6.19 (6.17���6.20), width (at basal angles) 5.01 (4.90���5.12). Differential diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from the only known congener, L. azhari by the male and female genitalia characters. The distinguishing characters are as given in the table 1 and diagnostic key. Etymology. This species is dedicated to first author���s mother, late Mrs. Santhamma. The specific epithet is a noun in genitive case formed by adding -ae to the stem of the personal name, Santh as per the article 31.1.2. of ICZN. Bionomy. Unknown. Specimens were collected from the bark of an unknown tree as well as from Mangifera indica L. (F. Anacardiaceae) Distribution in India. Arunachal Pradesh: Pasighat, Sirukki waterfall. As of now its distribution is restricted to Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern state of India. General distribution. India. Remarks. This is the second species described for the genus Lodosocoris and the first species recorded from India. One of the diagnostic characters for this species: The body is not completely glabrous with the lateral margins of pronotum including margin basal to humeri, lateral margins of propleura and ventral side of humeri possessing medium sized silvery white setae. Another peculiar character found in this species, the narrow, helical, distal spermathecal duct of females, which though visible in the images provided in the original description of L. azhari by Ahmad & Afzal (1986), it is not mentioned by them. This species is distinguished from its only congener by the characters given in Table 1., Published as part of S, Salini, K, Rabbani M., U, Amala & G, Mahendiran, 2021, First record of the genus Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal (Hemiptera: Heteroptera Pentatomidae: Halyini) from India with description of a new species, pp. 53-62 in Zootaxa 5072 (1) on pages 55-60, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/5729891, {"references":["Ahmad, I. & Afzal, M. (1986) A new genus and a new species of Halyini Stal (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) with a note on its relationships. Turkiye Bitki Koruma Dergisi, 10 (4), 199 - 202."]}

S, Salini, K, Rabbani M., U, Amala, G, Mahendiran (2021): First record of the genus Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal (Hemiptera: Heteroptera Pentatomidae: Halyini) from India with description of a new species. Zootaxa 5072 (1): 53-62, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.1.6

Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal, 1986 Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal, 1986: 200. Type species by original description: Lodosocoris azhari Ahmad & Afzal, 1986: 200���201, fig. 1���6. References. MEMON Et Al. (2011): 1149���1169 (Lodosocoris, phylogeny, key). Redescription. Dark brown to black bugs mottled with irregular, yellowish markings. Head flat dorsally, not declivous, lateral margins of head concave medially. Mandibular plates straight, length with respect to clypeus variable, each of them gradually narrowing towards apex, not meeting in front of clypeus, lateral margins of mandibular plates with distinct tooth subapically nearly right angle to mandibular apex; apex of clypeus slightly broader than mandibular plates. Antennae with basiflagellum (III) longest. Anterolateral margins of pronotum concave at middle and serrated, humeri slightly elevated and knob-like. Scutellum subtriangular with posterior 1/3rd abruptly narrowed. Connexivum broad and completely exposed. Hemelytra with membrane extending slightly beyond apex of abdomen. Length of labium variable; extending beyond middle to reaching posterior margin of ventrite IV. Mesosternum with narrow, central, longitudinal carina. Peritreme typical of Halyini type (Salini 2019, Fig. 91); peritreme (p) spout-shaped (crescent-shaped) reaching middle of metapleuron with well-developed evaporatorium (Fig.7). Evaporatorium extending to posterior border of mesopleuron. Metathoracic spiracle long, narrow and distinctly visible in ventral view.Abdomen on ventral side with central, longitudinal groove reaching posterior margin of ventrite V. Legs without spines, outer surface of tibiae with central longitudinal groove. Discussion. Ahmad and Afzal (1986) gave more emphasis on the characters such as clypeus longer than mandibular plates and fore tibiae undilated especially for differentiating the genera Lodosocoris as well as Neolodosocoris from members of Dalpada. But we noticed that the specimens examined, for this paper, have either clypeus as long as (Fig. 4) or slightly longer than mandibular plates (Fig. 3). Hence this character is quite variable and cannot be used as reliable diagnostic to distinguish this genus from other members of Dalpada. Length of labium (reaching or slightly extending beyond middle of ventrite IV) and presence of a minute tooth in front of compound eyes (Fig. 4) (sometimes absent) are other characters which are variable, though the latter was not mentioned in the original description. Both L. azhari and L. santhae sp. nov. have broad clypeus at apex of head. Parameral crown broad, with a beak-like projection is characteristic of this genus. Apart from this, the short, stout finger-like process laterally on infoldings of ventral rim is another diagnostic for the genus., Published as part of S, Salini, K, Rabbani M., U, Amala & G, Mahendiran, 2021, First record of the genus Lodosocoris Ahmad & Afzal (Hemiptera: Heteroptera Pentatomidae: Halyini) from India with description of a new species, pp. 53-62 in Zootaxa 5072 (1) on page 54, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/5729891, {"references":["Ahmad, I. & Afzal, M. (1986) A new genus and a new species of Halyini Stal (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) with a note on its relationships. Turkiye Bitki Koruma Dergisi, 10 (4), 199 - 202.","Salini, S. (2019) Revision of the genus Halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) with description of a new species from India. Zootaxa, 4586 (2), 351 - 375. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4586.2.9"]}

A new species of Euphranta, E. flavothoracica David, Hancock & Sachin, sp. n. is described from India and placed in the zeylanica group of species. Postabdominal structures of E. cassiae (Munro), E. crux (Fabricius) and E. klugii (Wiedemann) are described. A revised key to the 16 species of Euphranta known from India is provided. A new generic and specific synonymy is established: Euphranta Loew, 1862 = Ichneumonomacula Chen, 2020, syn. n. and Dacus figuratus Walker, 1856 (=Euphranta figurata (Walker, 1856))= Ichneumonomacula wangyongi Chen, 2020, syn. n.

In this article welding of two dissimilar metals will be carried out, why do we select dissimilar welding because the usage of the dissimilar metals is increasing day by day mainly in the heat transfer core places. So welding of dissimilar metals becomes unavoidable, which is normally a challenging process and the same is addressed by number of researchers over the period of time. Here the discussion is about the welding process and the impact due to high temperature of welding process on the strength of the weld bead. The high temperature induces corrosion which is undesirable. In this research we are focused to identify the welding parameter which induces the least corrosion.

European red mite (ERM), Panonychus ulmi (Koch) is a major pest of fruit crops (apple and almond) in Kashmir Valley, India. Investigations were carried out at ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar,Jammuand Kashmir to study the population dynamics, biology and efficacy of acaricides against P. ulmi on almond and apple. In both the crops highest population (31.56 and 6.46 mites/leaf), respectively, was observed in the 29th standard week (SW) and significantly correlated with the temperature. Biology of ERM was also studied on almond: eggs hatched in 6.50 ± 0.29 days; larval development took 2.00 ± 0.00 days; protonymphal and deutonymphal stages lasted for 1.75±0.25 days each. Longevity of adult males and females was 4.25 ± 0.25 and 8.25 ± 0.48 days, respectively. The efficacies of some of the acaricides were evaluated against ERM on almond. Among these, fenazaquin 10 EC (0.004 %) was found to be excellent with 94.92 % mortality of ERM on almond.

Nine species of the genus Blosyrus (Schoenherr, 1826) (Curculionidae: Entiminae) occurring in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are revised. The earlier known seven species are redescribed, whil...

Cacopsylla bidens (Sulc, 1907) is reported for the first time from India. A brief diagnosis, images and comparison with allied species are provided to validate this new faunal record and facilitate its prompt identification. Seasonality and some elements of the biology of the pest from the Kashmir valley are also provided.

Seasonality, host range, and biology of Altica himalayensis Chen are detailed. The species is one of the most dominant leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) found in the Kashmir valley. A major pest of Rumex nepalensis (locally known as Abuji), plant is used as a source of food, astringent qualities, and for dyeing purposes. During the present study the pest was also found to feed on Polygonium aviculare (new host plant) and adults were also found to exert considerable damage to a number of other major crops including, apricot, almond, apple, strawberry, and walnut. Updated checklist and taxonomic status of the genus Altica from India is also provided herewith.

An annotated checklist of Blosyrus Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) comprising 101 species with their updated nomenclature, synonyms and distribution is given. The distribution pattern indicates that the genus is diversified mostly in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia regions. Out of 101 species, 92 occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. From India, eight species were recorded. In India, the distribution is mainly in West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Indian entimine weevil genus Pachynotus Redtenbacher is reviewed, with description of two new species namely Pachynotus kumaonensis sp. nov. and Pachynotus mayarami sp. nov. The genus description is updated and a key to the species provided. Voucher specimens including types are deposited in the National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Pterochloroides persicae (Cholodkovsky, 1899) is reported here for the first time from the Kashmir Valley. The aphid is seen to infest almond, peach, plum orchards in the region. Monitoring of the pest was carried out in the peach and almond fields of the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) during the years 2014–2016. Seasonality and bio-rational management practices of the pest are discussed.

Genus Atmetonychus Schoenherr (1840) known from India and Bangladesh is revised. The generic and species description has been updated through addition of measurements, description of elytral vestiture and genitalic characters. These are supported by 28 illustrations including 21 line diagrams.

Yponomeuta rorrellus (Hübner, 1796) is considered a monophagous pest of the willow plantation (Salix spp.) in Drass and Leh districts of Ladakh Division (Jammu & Kashmir), with its peak activity recorded during the months of July and August. The taxonomic study of the species is presented here for the first time.