LAUSR

* Correspondence: [email protected] The genus Spilomyia Meigen, 1803 currently includes 38 species, mainly distributed in the Holarctic region with a few species occurring in the Neotropics (van Steenis, 2000). On the Indian subcontinent, this genus is represented by 2 species: Spilomyia saltuum (Fabricius, 1794) and Spilomyia sulphurea Sack, 1910, both reported from Afghanistan (Bańkowska, 1968; Ghorpadé, 2014). Despite their large size (9–22 mm) and widespread distribution, Spilomyia species are often overlooked in the field even by experienced collectors because of their morphological and behavioral similarity with social wasps (Curran, 1951; van Steenis, 2000). Here we present the first records of Spilomyia manicata (Rondani, 1865) from Afghanistan and India. These records also mark the first member of this genus from India (Ghorpadé, 2014; Shah et al., 2014; Sengupta et al., 2016) and the Oriental region. A brief diagnosis and colored images of its diagnostic characters are given here to facilitate its easy identification, and also to validate this new faunal species record for the region. The discovery is important because this species is very rare in distribution, and this record represents a significant southeastward extension of the geographic range for this genus (Stackelberg, 1958; Kuznetzov, 1997; van Steenis, 2000). The Indian subcontinent ranges from Afghanistan east through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh to Myanmar and from Kashmir and SE Tibet to Sri Lanka, the Laccadive and Maldive islands, and the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean (Ghorpadé, 2014). The specimens representing this Indian record were freshly collected by sweep net in the Kashmir Valley (Jammu and Kashmir) and Naggar Castle of the Kullu Valley (Himachal Pradesh), situated in the northern fringe of the Western Himalayas of the Indian subcontinent, while the specimen from Afghanistan was studied in the MNHNP collection. The taxonomic study was conducted using a Leica Wild M 10 stereomicroscope (Leica, Wetzlar, Germany) and images were produced using a Canon EOS 500D camera (Canon, Tokyo, Japan). The acronyms used are: CNC Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, Ontario, Canada MNHN Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France MZUF Museo Zoologico “La Specola”, Florence, Italy NBC Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands ZSI Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, India Spilomyia manicata (Rondani, 1865) (Figures 1–3) Milesia manicata Rondani, 1865: 132. LT ♀ [MZUF, des. J. Van Steenis, 1998]. Italy (Apennines). Spilomyia integra Kuntze, 1913: 549. ST 5 ♂♂, 5♀♀ [lost]. France (Corsica: Monte D’oro). Abstract: Spilomyia manicata (Rondani, 1865) is reported as a new genus and species record from India and the Oriental region. A brief diagnosis, images, and comparison with allied species are provided to scientifically validate this new faunal record from the Indian subcontinent and to facilitate its prompt identification. The species shows rare distribution across its range, and various factors pose a threat to the existence of this large pollinator species. Therefore, the documentation of this species assumes significance for devising conservation strategies and sustainable management.