Conifer-feeding aphids (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae) of India, Bhutan and Nepal with descriptions of three new species of the genus Cinara

Abstract

Here, we present a review of the conifer-feeding aphids of India, Bhutan and Nepal, which includes 30 species. Three new species, viz., Cinara (Cinara) bhutanica sp. nov., associated with Pinus wallichiana in Eastern Himalaya (Bhutan), Cinara (Cupressobium) asishghoshi sp. nov., which infest Juniperus squamata and Cinara (Cupressobium) himalayaensis sp. nov., which are associated with Taxus baccata in Northwest Himalaya (India) respectively, are described and illustrated. A hitherto unknown oviparous female of Cinara lachnirostris Hille Ris Lambers is also described and illustrated. Cinara (Cinara) takahashii nom. nov. is proposed here as a replacement name for Cinara (Cinara) orientalis (Takahashi, 1925), which is a junior secondary homonym of Cinara (Schizolachnus) orientalis (Takahashi, 1924). Cinara indica Verma syn. nov. is proposed as new junior synonym of Cinara confinis (Koch). Cinara maculipes and Cinara takahashii nom nov. from Bhutan and C. tenuipes from Nepal are reported for the first time. Taxonomical and biological information about the presented species are given along with their distribution. A key to identifying the conifer-feeding aphids of India, Bhutan and Nepal is also provided.