Defining honeybee subspecies in an evolutionary context warrants strategized conservation.

Despite the urgent need for conservation consideration, strategic action plans for the preservation of the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793, remain lacking. Both the convergent and divergent adaptations of this widespread insect have led to confusing phenotypical traits and inconsistent infraspecific taxonomy. Unclear subspecies boundaries pose a significant challenge to honeybee conservation efforts, as it is difficult to effectively prioritize conservation targets without a clear understanding of subspecies identities. Here, we investigated genome variations in 362 worker bees representing almost all populations of mainland A. cerana to understand how evolution has shaped its population structure. Whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on nuclear sequences revealed eight putative subspecies, with all seven peripheral subspecies exhibiting mutually exclusive monophyly and distinct genetic divergence from the widespread central subspecies. Our results demonstrated that most classic morphological traits, including body size, were related to the climatic variables of the local habitats and did not reflect the true evolutionary history of the organism. Thus, such morphological traits were not suitable for subspecific delineation. Conversely, wing vein characters showed relative independence to the environment and supported the subspecies boundaries inferred from nuclear genomes. Mitochondrial phylogeny further indicated that the present subspecies structure was a result of multiple waves of population divergence from a common ancestor. Based on our findings, we propose that criteria for subspecies delineation should be based on evolutionary independence, trait distinction, and geographic isolation. We formally defined and described eight subspecies of mainland A. cerana. Elucidation of the evolutionary history and subspecies boundaries enables a customized conservation strategy for both widespread and endemic honeybee conservation units, guiding colony introduction and breeding.

New species of the genus Dolophilodes Ulmer 1909 (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Singalila National Park, West Bengal, India.

This paper is another contribution to knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of India. Here we describe and illustrate three new species of Dolophilodes Ulmer 1909: D. dhritiae sp. nov., D. similis sp. nov., and D. laminata sp. nov. all from Singalila National Park, West Bengal. With these additions, genus Dolophilodes is now represented by 9 species from India.

Genus Diplectrona Westwood 1840 (Insecta: Trichoptera) in India.

This paper is another contribution to knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of India. We redescribe and illustrate Diplectrona marginata Betten 1909 based on previously collected material as well as from fresh collections. The status of D. marginata is validated after Betten (1909) and Martynov (1935) and a neotype is designated for D. marginata because the remaining syntype has been damaged and is not identifiable. Furthermore, D. kinulta Olh et al. 2020 is considered a synonym of D. marginata based on the similarity of male genitalia. Diplectrona aurovittata (Ulmer 1906) is reported for the first time from India, bringing the number of Indian species of Diplectrona to 10.

Gene reuse facilitates rapid radiation and independent adaptation to diverse habitats in the Asian honeybee.

Animals with recent shared ancestry frequently adapt in parallel to new but similar habitats, a process often underlined by repeated selection of the same genes. Yet, in contrast, few examples have demonstrated the significance of gene reuse in colonization of multiple disparate habitats. By analyzing 343 genomes of the widespread Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, we showed that multiple peripheral subspecies radiated from a central ancestral population and adapted independently to diverse habitats. We found strong evidence of gene reuse in the Leucokinin receptor (Lkr), which was repeatedly selected in almost all peripheral subspecies. Differential expression and RNA interference knockdown revealed the role of Lkr in influencing foraging labor division, suggesting that Lkr facilitates collective tendency for pollen/nectar collection as an adaptation to floral changes. Our results suggest that honeybees may accommodate diverse floral shifts during rapid radiation through fine-tuning individual foraging tendency, a seemingly complex process accomplished by gene reuse.

New species of the genus Cheumatopsyche Wallengren 1891 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from Indian Himalaya.

Three new species belonging to genus Cheumatopsyche Wallengren are described and illustrated. The newly described species are Cheumatopsyche nigrocephala sp. nov. and Ch. similis sp. nov. both from Uttarakhand, and Ch. meghalayaensis sp. nov. from Meghalaya. Cheumatopsyche guadunica Li Dudgeon 1988 is reported for the first time from India. Cheumatopsyche ningmapa Schmid 1975 and Ch. galahittigama Schmid 1958 are also redescribed and reillustrated based on Indian specimens (males only). Due to insufficient description five species described by the Navás are considered to be nomina dubia (Cheumatopsyche chlorogastra (Navás 1932), Ch. indica (Navás 1932), Ch. lebasi (Navás 1932), Ch. stenocyta (Navás 1932), Ch. suffusa (Navás 1932). Previously, this genus was represented by 23 species and, with the addition of 3 new species and one new country record, there are now 27 species known from India.

Three new species of the genus Kisaura Ross (1956) (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.

In this paper three new species of the genus Kisaura from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India, are described and illustrated. The newly described species are K. sainii sp. n. (from Lumla), K. dirangensis sp. n. and K. vikrami sp. n. (both from Dirang). With these additions the total number of species in the genus from India now stands at 27.

Review of genus Hydropsyche Pictet 1834 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from India.

The genus Hydropsyche is reviewed from India. Three new species are described and illustrated belonging to genus Hydropsyche. The newly described species are Hydropsyche curvata sp. nov., H. hajinensis sp. nov., both from Jammu Kashmir, and H. golitarensis sp. nov. from Sikkim. Hydropsyche quadrata Malicky Chantaramongkol 2000 (from Sikkim), H. augeias Malicky Chantaramongkol 2000 (from Uttarakhand) and H. camillus Malicky Chantaramongkol 2000 (from Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh) are reported for the first time from India. Hydropsyche athamas Malicky Chantaramongkol 2000, H. homunculus Schmid 1965, and H. harpagofalcata Mey 1995 are also redescribed and reported for the first time from India. Hydropsyche nuristanica Schmid 1963 (from Jammu and Kashmir) and H. rakshakaha Oláh 1994 (from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal) are reported from these states for the first time. Hydropsyche charon Malicky Chantaramongkol 2000, from Uttarakhand, H. appendicularis Martynov 1931, and H. pallipenne Banks 1938 are also redescribed and reported from Himachal Pradesh. Hydropsyche claviformis Mey 1996 is also redescribed based on a specimen from Sikkim. Furthermore, the male is redescribed and a neotype is designated for Hydropsyche asiatica Ulmer 1905. Hydropsyche chotanagpurensis is a nomen novum, replacing junior homonym Hydropsyche ulmeri (Martynov 1935). With these additions, the total number of Indian species for genus Hydropsyche is now 54. A catalogue of known Indian species is also given.

Three new species of the genus Lepidostoma Rambur (Lepidostomatidae: Trichoptera) from India.

Three new species of the genus Lepidostoma Rambur are described and illustrated from the Indian Himalaya: Lepidostoma trilobatum sp. nov., L. lidderwatense sp. nov., and L. sainii sp. nov., all belonging to the Lepidostoma ferox Branch. With these new additions, the genus Lepidostoma is now represented by 50 species in India and over 450 species globally.

Review of the genus Stenopsyche McLachlan (Trichoptera: Stenopsychidae) in India.

With 14 species on record, the genus Stenopsyche McLachlan is reviewed from India. We report variation for 3 previously recorded species, Stenopsyche griseipennis McLachlan, S. dirghajihvi Schmid and S. apiguna Schmid. A catalogue and key for males of Indian species is provided.

Two new species of genus Apsilochorema Ulmer (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from India.

Two new species of Apsilochorema (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from India are described, Apsilochorema (Archichorema) kashnirensis sp. nov. and Apsilochorema (Archichorema) meyi sp. nov., bringing to 12 the number of species in the genus known from the country.

Two new species of Glossosoma subgenus Glossosoma (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) from India.

Two new species of the genus Glossosoma (Glossosoma) Curtis are described and illustrated: G. (G.) dirangense sp. nov, and G. (G.) sikkimnense sp. nov. from Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) and Lachen (Sikkim), respectively. Glossosoma (G.) dirangense most closely resembles G. (G.) mnoselyi Kimmins 1953, but the males of these species can be distinguished by differences in the shapes of abdominal segments IX and X. Glossosoma (G.) sikkimense most closely resembles G. (G.) fissumn Martynov 1935 and G. (G.) caudatum Martynov 1931, but the male of G. (G.) sikkimense can be distinguished from these other species by differences in the shapes of abdominal segment X, sternite VI ventral process, and the phallus.

Two new species of the genus Pseudostenophylax Martynov (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) from the Indian Himalaya.

Two new species of the genus Pseudostenophylax Martynov 1909 from the Indian Himalaya are described and illustrated. These include P. himachalica sp. n. from Sathrundi (Himachal Pradesh) and P. gulmargensis sp. n. from Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir), both belonging to the P. aniketos Group. With these two additions, Pseudostenophylax is now represented in India by 25 species.