Panchanan Parui

A review of the Asilidae (Diptera) from the Oriental Region

Abstract The Asilidae (robber flies) is one of the largest families in Diptera Brachycera. The adults and larvae are predaceous on other insects, especially on plant-feeding insects, and thus help in the natural control of insects. They are world wide in distribution, represented by about 5000 species belonging to over 400 genera. Only about 750 species under 80 genera are known from the Oriental Region, of which 300 species and 45 genera are from India.

On some Asilidae (Diptera) from India and adjoining countries present in the British Museum (Natural History)

Abstract Forty-two species of Asilidae in 13 genera are treated from India and adjoining countries. Ten of them are new species, viz,, Xenomyza infuscata, Clinopogon odontoferus, Ommatius jonesi, O. fuscus, O. ponti, O. malabaricus, Astochia silcharensis, A. bromleyi, Machimus bicolor, and Neoitamus himalayensis. Four species are new to Nepal.

Seroepidemiology of bluetongue in South Bengal

Aim: With the aim of revealing the epidemiological intricacies of bluetongue (BT) in the southern part of West Bengal state, the present study was undertaken to assess seroprevalence of BT along with identification of the vector of the disease, i.e., Culicoides midges available in the region in their breeding season with conducive environmental factors, if any. Materials and Methods: A total of 1509 (sheep-504, goat-1005) samples were collected from three different agroclimatic zones of South Bengal viz. new alluvial, red laterite and coastal saline. To detect anti-BT antibodies in the collected serum samples, indirect-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) was performed. Culicoides midges were collected from those agro-climatic zones of South Bengal for species identification. The meteorological parameters, viz. temperature (maximum and minimum), rainfall and relative humidity of three agro-climatic zones of South Bengal were analyzed for the months of July to December during 2010-2013. Results: The overall seropositivity was 33.13% and 30.24% in sheep and goat, respectively as assessed by i-ELISA. In South Bengal, the predominant species of Culicoides found were Culicoides schultzei, Culicoides palpifer and Culicoides definitus. Conclusion: Since virus transmitting species of Culicoides midges could be detected in South Bengal, besides high seropositivity in ruminants, the possibility of circulating BT virus in South Bengal is quite imminent.

Stenopogon loew and Michotamia Macquart (Diptera : Asilidae) from India

Abstract Three new species of Stenopogon Loew, S. Cinchonaensis, tp. nov., S. Manit, sp. nov. and S. Mysorensis, sp. nov., and one new species of Michotamia Macquart, M. Indiana, sp. nov., are described and figured. Keys. to tho Indian species of both genera are given.

Astochia becker, Promachus loew and Saropogon loew (Diptera : Asilidae) from India

Abstract Four new species of Astochia Becker, viz. A. Tiwarii, sp. nov., A. Jayarami, sp. nov., A. Guptal, sp. nov. and A. Bengatensh, sp. nov., two new species of Promachus Loew, viz. P. Fuxeifemoratus, sp. nov. and P. Jabalpurensis, sp. nov., and one new species of Saropogon Loew, viz. S. Hulli, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Keys to the Indian species of all three genera are also included.

Notes on Styringomyia subobscura Alexander (Diptera : Tipulidae)

Alexander (1966) erected Styringomyia subobscura on a male and female from Northeast Frontier Agency, India. The Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta, recently received five males of the same species from the same locality. Their variations from the types are pointed out; the wing and male hypopygium are figured for the first time here, with a detailed description of the latter.

On a small collection of Tipulddae (Diptera) from Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract 18 species of tipulida from Uttar Pradesh are reported in this paper. It Includes 3 species whose opposite sexes are observed for the first time and records 3 species each of which were erected on single specimens. Male hypopygium of Limonia (Rhipidia) antennata (Brunetti) is described for the first time.

Taxonomy of Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve, India

The present communication deals with recording of nine species of soldier flies (Insecta: Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Sunderban Biosphere Reserve of India, of which, Tinda indica (Walker, 1851), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920, Odontomyia viridana (Wiedemann, 1824), Prosopochrysa vitripennis (Doleschall, 1856) are being reported for the first time from this unique and globally acclaimed mangrove ecosystem. Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920 is reported for the first time from the state of West Bengal. A key to identify these species is provided with taxonomic notes.

Taxonomic mapping of Tabanidae (Diptera: Tabanidae) from Darjeeling Himalaya, a part of Indo-Burmese biodiversity hotspot

Abstract The family Tabanidae includes horse flies (referred to flies of genus Tabanus), deer flies (Chrysops) and clegs (Haematopota). They are mainly popular in this tropical climate for their disease-causing abilities and one of those important disease that even may lead to fatal consequences in cattle animals is Surra disease that causes havoc in wild and livestocks in this region. A total of 22 tabanid species under 5 genera, 4 tribes and 3 subfamilies so far known from Darjeeling district of West Bengal, are keyed and diagnosed. Their distribution patterns are discussed wherever deemed necessary. Among them, single genus namely Hybomitra Enderlein, 1922 and four species are reported for the first time from this district and also from the state of West Bengal. Moreover, there is scope for taxonomic studies on this group of flies in this important biodiversity hot spot of northeastern Himalaya since it falls under diverse Indo-Malayan biome. Most of the species are however expected to exhibit extensive distribution pattern in the long run, as more extensive taxonomic and ecological studies are due on this interesting group of biting flies of veterinary importance.

Tabanid Fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) along The Lower Most Gangetic Plains of India: A Taxonomic Approach

True flies of family Tabanidae (Brachycera, Tabanomorpha) refers to group of sturdy, handsome, large headed flies devoid of large bristles and with colourful eyes. The present study reports 21 species under 6 genera, 4 tribes and 2 subfamilies from the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. These are also keyed, diagnosed and their distribution pattern discussed. Among these Chrysops designatus Ricardo (1911), Tabanus dorsiger Wiedemann (1821), Tabanus (Tabanus) optatus Walker (1856), Tabanus (Tabanus) tenens Walker (1850), and Haematopota tessellata Ricardo, (1906) are new records from the lowermost Gangetic plains and also from West Bengal. Continuous distribution pattern was observed with these flies of veterinary importance and haematophagous nature.