ABSTRACT The Eastern Himalayas represents one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, yet information on the vespid wasp fauna of this region is still limited. This study provides the first consolidated account of vespid wasps from the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, based on extensive field surveys. We recorded 19 species belonging to 10 genera and three subfamilies (Eumeninae, Polistinae, and Vespinae). Among these, Antepipona bhutanensis Giordani Soika 1975 is documented for the first time from India, while Polistes (Polistella) assamensis Bingham 1897 and Polistes (Polistella) santoshae Das and Gupta 1989 represent new records for Arunachal Pradesh. Species-specific natural history notes, floral associations, and microhabitat preferences are provided for all recorded taxa. In addition, an updated checklist of the vespid fauna of Arunachal Pradesh was compiled through an extensive review of published literature and museum records, now comprising 73 species across 27 genera and four subfamilies. The results highlight the exceptional richness of solitary and social wasps in the region that underscore the ecological importance as predators, pollinators, and bioindicators. This study fills a critical knowledge gap for the Eastern Himalayas and provides a baseline framework for future taxonomic, ecological, and conservation-oriented research on Hymenoptera in northeastern India.

ABSTRACT The genus Alliopsis belongs to the family Anthomyiidae within the order Diptera. The larvae of most species in this family are herbivorous and are considered pests in agriculture and forestry, making the study of species belonging to Anthomyiidae economically significant. Through literature review and specimen examination, two new species were discovered from Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and the Baimang Snowberg, Yunnan. As of the present date, there are 36 recognised species within the genus Alliopsis in China, representing 47% of the global species count. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:372F789F-0B9D-4353-B6A9-13D5578D63EA http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E5FE1382-664A-4551-BE1B-94E0E60DF2BA

ABSTRACT In this study, Lacon mairangensis Sarkar & Chandran sp. nov. is described from Meghalaya state, northeastern India. The new species has unusual unipectinate antenna in males, which is known only for a few species of the genus. Key to the known species of Lacon from northeastern India is also provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6417B276-10FD-48A9-8463-00CF344A937C

ABSTRACT The tribe Macrostelini Kirkaldy (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) currently includes 12 extant described species in Pakistan, including two new country records. These leafhopper species are associated with herbaceous plants, particularly inhabiting grasslands and occasionally cultivated areas with significant economic value as primary vectors of viruses and phytoplasmas. This study revised the taxonomy, altitudinal diversity, and distribution of Macrostelini species present throughout the various ecological zones in Pakistan. Macrosteles quadripunctulatus (Kirschbaum, 1868) and Macrosteles nabiae Kwon, 2013, are reported for the first time in Pakistan, thereby extending the known geographical range of these important vectors. The review includes detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic characteristics and identification key for the males of the newly recorded species, supplemented by high-resolution images showcasing essential taxonomic features. The analysis of altitudinal distribution patterns across Pakistan’s varied topography reveals species-specific ecological preferences, which range from lowland agricultural regions to mountain areas. An updated checklist of Macrostelini tribe has been documented, serving as a foundational reference for future biosystematics research, agricultural pest management initiatives, and phytoplasma disease monitoring programmes.

ABSTRACT The Himalayan species of water strider Ptilomera laticaudata (Hardwicke, 1823) is recorded for the first time in Pakistan, as well as the genus Ptilomera, whose distribution range is extended westward. Additional records of other species of Gerridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) are provided, improving knowledge of this family in the country. These include five other species recorded from the Islamabad Capital Territory for the first time: Aquarius adelaidis (Dohrn, 1860), Limnogonus fossarum fossarum (Fabricius, 1775), Chimarrhometra orientalis (Distant, 1879), Heterobates bilobatus (Esaki, 1927) and Metrocoris communis (Distant, 1910).

ABSTRACT Field-level and live morphological characteristics of the three scale species recorded on cashew plants are documented. Among these, two species viz. Lepidosaphes laterochitinosa and Ceroplastes ceriferus are reported for the first time on cashew from Karnataka, India. Scale infestation on cashew seedlings was 13.33% in the net house, with L. laterochitinosa showing higher incidence. Brief diagnostic characters of the mounted females, along with photomicrographic illustrations, are also provided to facilitate accurate identification of the two species reported in this study. In addition, an updated list of the scale insects infesting cashew reported in India is presented.

ABSTRACT The medicinal plant, Pseudarthria viscida (L.) (Fabaceae), is a major ingredient in ayurvedic medicines and is one of the 100 medicinal plants of conservation concern in South India. This paper documents a severe infestation of a soft scale, Drepanococcus chiton (Green) for the first time on P. viscida. The field and taxonomic characters of the pest are detailed with notes on the nature of damage and symptoms. This would allow early detection of the pest in the field, and for appropriate control measures to be taken. Three ant species viz. Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius), Crematogaster dohrni (Mayr) and Camponotus sericeus (Fabricius) were recorded in association with the scale insect.

ABSTRACT Vector control is key to the reduction and elimination of malaria. Indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and larviciding are examples of chemical control of malaria vectors. Conversely, the effectiveness of these approaches are currently under threat due to the emergence and global spread of resistance to the four major insecticide classes: pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphate, and organochlorine. In this review, the mechanisms of resistance to these classes of insecticides include: target site inactivation, metabolic resistance, cuticle thickening, behavioural resistance, and xenobiotic sequestration. Consequently, the excessive use of insecticides, as well as other environmental factors such as agriculture, microbiome, natural xenobiotics, climatic factors, edaphic factors, and anthropogenic activities, have created selective pressure that constantly drives the emergence and intensification of insecticide resistance among Anopheles mosquitoes.

ABSTRACT During the study of pollination mutualisms between cecidomyiid flies and Aspidistra flowers in Guangxi, southern China, we discovered a new species of gall midge, the only known pollinator for Aspidistra saxicola. It is described as Resseliella saxicolae sp. nov., based on morphological comparison with known congeners and DNA barcoding sequencing data. The new species is distinguished by dense body setae (except the thorax), uniform flagellomeres in both sexes, longer marginal wing setae, an obvious transverse arcuate scutum (located in the posterior thorax) and curved claws longer than empodia. Its wings lack special spots or stripes, while the dense setae covering and prominent scutum ridge are unique among congeners. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing indicated that adults and larvae from A. saxicola flowers belong to the same species. Bayesian analysis showed that Resseliella saxicolae and the morphologically similar species R. kadsurae Yukawa, Sato and Xu (2011) were placed in one clade. The gall midge is diurnal and mates at nearby perch sites. In the life cycle of R. saxicolae, females oviposit in flower buds or flowers, with larvae feeding on pollen before pupating in soil. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53EF132A-6929-40EF-BF0C-60E52B3D4697

ABSTRACT The Indian species of the genus Zolotarewskya Risbec, 1955, are reviewed. In the present study, Zolotarewskya robusta Yang, 1996, originally described from Shaanxi, China, is reported for the first time from India. Also, the male of Z. robusta is described for the first time. Zolotarewskya longianella Sureshan, Ranjith & Rajan, 2019, previously described from Kerala, India, is additionally recorded from Karnataka. An identification key to the known species of Zolotarewskya Risbec from India is also provided.