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Title: A new species of Conaspidia Konow (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from India and review of the indian species

Author
item Smith, David
item SAINI, MALKIAT - PUNJABI UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2002
Publication Date: 6/17/2003
Citation: Smith, D.R., Saini, M.S. 2003. A new species of Conaspidia Konow (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from India and review of the indian species. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 105:555-558.

Interpretive Summary: The caterpillar-like larvae of sawflies feed on a wide variety of plants and many can be destructive to agricultural crops, forests, and ornamental plantings. Some of the most destructive in the United States are those that have been accidentally introduced, i.e., invasive species. Knowledge of the world fauna is important in order to help prevent further introductions, and the Asian fauna is not well known. A new species from India of an Asian genus, Conaspidia, was discovered and is described and illustrated. It is separated from the other 18 species of the genus and the three species known in India. Identification of species of this genus will be of value to those interested in and studying plant-feeding insects, and will be of value to action agencies such as APHIS for prevention of further introductions into this country.

Technical Abstract: Conaspidia maculosa, new species, is described from Sikkim, India. It is the fourth species of this Asian genus known from India, the other species being C. dubiosa Forsius, C. fasciatipennis Turner, and C. sikkimensis Konow. The new species belongs in the scutellaris group of Conaspidia and is separated from related species in that group and the other Indian species.