Naresh M. Meshram

A new deltocephaline Scaphoideus subsculptus sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with redescription of S. harlani from India

A new deltocephaline leafhopper species of the tribe Athysanini, namely Scaphoideus subsculptus sp. nov., is described from India. Scaphoideus harlani Kitbamroong and Freytag is redescribed and modification in the key for their distinction is provided. The type material is deposited with the National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Assessment of bacterial endosymbionts and the host, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), using rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences

ABSTRACT Endosymbionts are vital factor for arthropod ecology. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a cryptic species complex composed of more than 34 putative species. Moreover to the primary endosymbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum, six secondary endosymbionts Cardinium, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Hamiltonella and Fritschea are known in B. tabaci. Here, we tested four of the six secondary endosymbiont lineages (excluding Fritschea and Hamiltonella) from 180 whitely individuals collected from six host plants belonging to families Solanaceae (Brinjal, Tomato and Potato) and Fabaceae (Soyabean, Mungbean and Subabool). Phylogenetic studies grounded on the mitochondrial cytochrome I gene revealed the presence of Asia 1, Asia II 1 and Asia II 7 genetic groups for B. tabaci. Specific primers targeting 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA gene were used for estimating the bacterial endosymbionts. As a primary endosymbiont Portiera aleyrodidarum was present in all the studied samples; whereas, an uneven distribution of secondary endosymbionts were recorded. Overall our finding exposes the variation and diversity of endosymbionts within the B. tabaci collected from different host plants and outlines the genetic groups of the insect pest. The study delivers a significant information concerning the circulation of secondary endosymbionts with host preferences of B. tabaci and provides suggestion for progressive studies on targeting the specific endosymbionts with respect to host for the control measures.

Genetic homogeneity in South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta: a new invasive pest to oriental region

South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important invasive pest of Tomato which invaded India and Nepal in 2014 and 2016, respectively. In the present study, samples from five localities of India and one from Nepal were used for the investigation of genetic diversity of T. absoluta by employing a fragment in the mtDNA gene-encoding cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Based on the partial COI gene, high genetic homogeneity was detected in T. absoluta populations of India and Nepal with rest of the world. Less nucleotide diversity (π 0.00137) was also detected in the populations of T. absoluta from different countries. This is first attempt to analyze molecular data for this new invasive species from India and Nepal.

Three new species of the genus Scaphoideus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with notes on the female of Scaphoideus varna from India

Three new species of leafhoppers, Scaphoideus ramamurthyi sp. nov. (from Meghalaya: Barapani), Scaphoideus menoni sp. nov. (from Kerala: Valluvady) and Scaphoideus viraktamathi sp. nov. (from Kerala: Kannavam) from India, are described and illustrated. Also, the female of S. varna Viraktamath & Mohan, previously known only from Myanmar is described with a new record for India. Taxonomic notes on the few cryptic species of Scaphoideus also provided.

Two new species of tribe Agalliini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae) with note on intraspecific variations

Two new species of leafhoppers, Durgades sineprocessus sp. nov. (From Himachal Pradesh: Kalpa) and Japanagallia dolabra sp. nov. (From Sikkim: Lachung) from India, are described and illustrated. Photographic illustrations of Durgades aviana Viraktamath and a detailed note on intraspecific variation in male genitalia of Austroagallia sinuata (Mulsant Rey) are also provided. Material is deposited in the National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India.

A review of the coelidiine leafhopper genus Mahellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) with description of two new species from the Oriental region

Two new species of the genus Mahellus Nielson, M. cardoni sp. nov. (Indonesia: Sulawesi) and M. ungulatus sp. nov. (India: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) are described and illustrated. M. distanti Nielson is also illustrated with several new locality records. A key for the four known species of the genus is also given.

Review of the genus Sophonia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with three new species from India

A review of the genus Sophonia Melichar from India is presented. Fifteen valid species are recognized of which three new species, Sophonia tridenta sp. nov. (Sikkim: Gangtok), Sophonia vidarvya sp. nov. (Meghalaya: Barapani) and Sophonia intricata sp. nov. (Himachal Pradesh: Katrain) from India are described and illustrated. Habitus photographic illustrations, a checklist and a modified key for all species from the Indian subcontinent are provided.

A new genus of leafhopper subtribe Paraboloponina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with molecular phylogeny of related genera

A new leafhopper genus Chandra and species Chandra dehradunensis gen. nov., sp. nov. are described, illustrated from India and placed in the subtribe Paraboloponina (Cidadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini). This genus is closely associated with the genus Parabolopona Webb but differs in shape of the head, placement of antennae, male genitalia and molecular analysis using Histone H3 and COI genes confirmed the difference. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of Chandra is discussed using morphological characters and preliminary molecular evidence of the new genus and related genus Parabolopona.

Two new species of the genus Hishimonus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with a new record from India.

Two new species of leafhoppers, Hishimonus nauniensis sp. nov. (from Himachal Pradesh: Solan) and Hishimonus pantanagarensis sp. nov. (from Uttarakhand: Pant Nagar) from India, are described and illustrated. Also, the species Hishimonus thapai Virakatamath and Mohan, previously known only from Nepal is illustrated with a new record for India.

Two new species of the genus Igerna (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae) from India

Two new megophthalmine species of leafhoppers, Igerna kolasibensis sp. nov. and I. shillongensis sp. nov., are described from India, Mizoram and Meghalaya, respectively. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and photographs are provided. An updated key to the species and taxonomic notes on the genus are provided.