Shahid Ali Akbar

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.

Taxonomy and distribution of Glenea beesoni Heller, 1926 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Saperdini) from Indian Himalayas

Abstract The species Glenea beesoni Heller, 1926 is redescribed with genitalia morphology and Walnut plant (Juglans regia Linnaeus of the family Juglandaceae) is confirmed to be the host plant of this species. Distribution map, habitus and genitalia pictures 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.

A new species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

Abstract Background There are no well defined Leptogenys species groups based on the worker morphology from the Oriental region Arimoto (2017). Leptogenys chinensis forms a complex species group with closely related species having little morphological changes Wilson (1958), Sarnat and Economo (2012). From the Oriental region, there are currently 9 species belonging to the L. chinensis group. The group is diagnosed by having edentate masticatory margin of the mandible, smooth body surface, elongate antennae and metallic green cuticle. The species included are: L. assamensis; L. chinensis; L. confucii; L. kraepelini; L. laeviterga; L. pangui; L. peuqueti; L. stenocheilos and L. sunzii. New information Leptogenys bhartii sp. n., a new ponerine ant species from Western Himalayas, India, is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. The new species belongs to the Leptogenys chinensis group and mostly resembles Leptogenys chinensis (Mayr, 1870). In the L. chinensis group, the original description of L. stenocheilos is insufficient as it lacks information about type material. As there is no further detailing of this species in the available literature, it is difficult to ascertain its valid status Xu and He (2015) and is therefore, considered a species inquirenda herewith. A revised key to the known species of chinensis-group in the Oriental Region is provided.

A new ant species of the Leptogenys sulcinoda-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia

Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. is described from the Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia, based on the worker caste. The new species is a member of the L. sulcinoda-group and appears closest to L. bellii Emery, 1901, originally described from Ethiopia. The likely male caste of L. polaszeki sp. n. is described based on a single specimen collected by a pitfall trap in the type locality. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D3BF3AF-5308–48E8–8416–902278909AD5

First description of the sexuals of Camponotus opaciventris Mayr, 1879 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with notes on distribution in Western Himalaya

Abstract Background The taxonomy of Camponotus ants in India is mostly based on the worker caste, described in about 96% of the known species (AntWeb 2016). However, nearly 48% of these ant species are only known from workers, with no record of sexual forms. To improve knowledge of Indian Camponotus, we here describe sexuals of Camponotus opaciventris Mayr 1879. New information The hitherto unknown sexuals of Camponotus opaciventris Mayr 1879 are described for the first time. Workers are redescribed and distribution of this ant species in Indian Western Himalaya is herewith detailed.