PhD

The present study entitled “The Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of
southern India” was carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2015 to
2020 with the objectives of collection and identification of the flat faced long-horned
beetles (Lamiinae) of southern India, preparation of descriptions and illustrated key to
species, with emphasis on characters of male and female genitalia and documentation
of host plants in all possible cases. The specimens were collected using different
methods viz., hand picking, sweep netting, light traps, jackfruit twig trap and rearing
from the infected plant parts. The specimens were processed following the standard
procedures. Similarly, dissections, photographs and illustrations were prepared.
Details of the specimens examined and the measurements of different body parts
including that of male and female genitalia are included under each species. All the
species included in the present study were identified using available literature. Taxon
descriptions were prepared by considering all the morphological variations and also
including the variations of male and female genitalia wherever available. A checklist
of the species and illustrated key to the genera documented in the present study are
also provided.
Present study has generated taxonomic and ecological information on the
Lamiinae fauna of south India. Sixty six species belonging to 41 genera of south
Indian Lamiinae were studied. Detailed descriptions and illustrations, including that
of male and female genitalia, are provided. Species-wise distribution and host plant
data are furnished wherever available. Ecological information is also provided for a
few of the species.
Descriptions of two new species, Miccolamia ferruginea and Notomulciber
viraktamathi were published. These include species descriptions, key to Indian
species of the respective genera and a discussion on the need for redefinition of the
respective subgenera. Description of the male of Monochamus shembaganurensis,
with additional information on its distribution, was published. Four new species were
recognised, one each belonging to the genera Eunidia and Falsoropica and two of
Glenea.
New distributional and ecological data are furnished for Acalolepta tenuipes,
Agelasta quadrimaculata, Apomecyna saltator, Apriona trilineata, Batocera
rufomaculata, Coptops aedificator, Epepeotes uncinatus, Eucomatocera vittata,
Eunidia bicolor, Eunidia variegata, Eunidia simplex, Exocentrus (Camptomyne)
vittatus, Hirtaeschopalaea albolineata, Macrochenus tigrinus, Nupserha bicolor,
Olenecamptus bilobus, Phelipara indica, Sthenias grisator, Sybra praeusta, Thylactus
angularis, Zotalemimon posticatum and Zotalemimon procerum.
Among the south Indian Lamiinae, Apomecyna saltator, Batocera
rufomaculata, Celosterna scabrator, Cleonaria bicolor, Coptops aedificator, Glenea
multiguttata, Nupserha bicolor, Olenecamptus bilobus, Sthenias grisator and Sybra
praeusta are well known pestiferous species.
There are many Lamiinae still awaiting discovery and formal naming. Hence,
studies encompassing the different ecozones of the country are sure to add several
new species of flat faced longhorned beetles to the Indian fauna. Many species are
known only by original descriptions based on a single specimen. Hence, there is an
urgent need for intensive studies to generate information on their natural history.
Future studies should concentrate on revising and updating the taxonomy of Lamiinae
of economic importance so as to develop effective IPM programmes. To promote and
facilitate studies on biodiversity and conservation of the native fauna of longhorned
beetles, there is an urgent need to digitalize the type specimens of Indian
Cerambycidae deposited in several European natural history museums besides
developing a database with interactive keys for easy identification. The future
taxonomic works on Indian Cerambycidae should also aim for Phylogeny of Indian
fauna based on integrative taxonomy.