Aijaz Ahmad Wachkoo

First description of the worker caste of Nylanderia smythiesii (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract The hitherto unknown worker caste of Nylanderia smythiesii (Forel, 1894) is described for the first time. Sexuals are redescribed and photomontage images of all castes are provided. A key is presented to separate the six Indian species of Nylanderia. Previously described Nylanderia assimilis (Jerdon, 1851) is considered a species inquirenda.

A new carpenter ant, Camponotus parabarbatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

Abstract A new species of carpenter ant, collected in the Shivalik range of Himalaya is described and illustrated based on the worker and gyne castes under the name Camponotus parabarbatus sp. n. Presence of dense, short setae on gena and ventral surface of head resembles it most to Camponotus barbatus Roger, 1863 distributed in Southeast Asia. A regional identification key of Camponotus species is provided from the Shivalik hills of Indian Himalaya.

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS MYOPIAS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) FROM INDIA, WITH DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPECIES

First Record of the Genus Myopias (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from India, with Description of New Species Myopias shivalikensis Bharti et Wachkoo, sp. n. is described based on a single worker, collected in lower Shivalik range (700 m a. s. l.) of Northwest Himalaya by soil core method. The genus Myopias is recorded for the first time in India. M. shivalikensis is a cryptobiotic species with reduced body size and rudimentary eyes. It is similar to M. nops Willey et Brown, 1983, distinctly differing from all described species of this genus. Первая находка родаMyopias (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) в Индии, с описанием нового вида Myopias shivalikensis Bharti et Wachkoo, sp. n. описан по единственному рабочему, найденному в нижней части хребта Шивалик (700 м над у. м.) в северо-западных Гималаях в почвенных пробах. Это первая находка родаMyopias в Индии. Данный вид является криптобионтом и характеризуется мелкими размерами и редуцированными глазами. Он наиболее сходен с M. nops Willey et Brown, 1983 и хорошо отличается от всех ранее описанных видов этого рода.

Taxonomy and distribution of the ant Cataglyphis setipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract Taxonomy and distribution of the ant species Cataglyphis setipes (Forel, 1894) is herewith detailed. C. setipes is redescribed, based on workers, queens, and males. Photomontage images of all castes are provided. Information on the distribution and ecology of this species is also given. A key to the Indian species of Cataglyphis is presented.

New synonymy of Proceratium williamsi Tiwari (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract Proceratium bhutanense De Andrade, 2003, syn. n. is here found to be conspecific with Proceratium williamsi Tiwari, 2000 and accordingly treated as a junior synonym.

Cerapachys browni and Cerapachys costatus, two new rare ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

Descriptions of Cerapachys browni sp. n. and Cerapachys costatus sp. n. from India are provided. C. browni is the member of the wide spread dohertyi group while C. costatus represents the 3rd species of the rare crawleyi group, with C. sauteri Forel, 1913 and C. crawleyi Wheeler, 1924 reported earlier. An identification key to the worker caste of Indian Cerapachys species is provided.

First record of the genus Ficobracon (Hymenoptera:Braconidae) from India, with description of new species

Ficobracon kashmirensis sp. nov., a new braconid species from Kashmir Himalayas, India, is described with illustrations. The discovery marks the first record of Ficobracon from India, and is the fifth known species of the genus globally. A discussion on the seasonal occurrence and some elements of biology, together with a revised key to the known species, are also provided.

Discovery of the worker caste of Protanilla schoedli Baroni Urbani & De Andrade (Formicidae: Leptanillinae) in Sri Lanka

Abstract The worker caste of the ant species Protanilla schoedli is discovered and described for the first time based on specimens collected across Sri Lanka. The specimens examined demonstrate within-species morphological variations in body size, petiolar shape and colour. A distributional map and worker images to facilitate its identification are provided.

First record of Dryomyza pakistana Kurahashi, 1989 (Diptera, Dryomyzidae) from India

Abstract Dryomyza pakistana Kurahashi, 1989 is reported as a new record from India. A brief diagnosis, images and comparison with allied species are provided to scientifically validate this new faunal record from India and to facilitate its prompt identification.

The first record of pear psylla Cacopsylla bidens (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from India along with notes on seasonal occurrence and some elements of its biology

Abstract Cacopsylla bidens (Šulc, 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.