DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE - Zoological Survey of India

MOTH FLIES & SAND FLIES (<strong>DIPTERA</strong>: <strong>PSYCHODIDAE</strong>) OF INDIA<br />

K. ILANGO<br />

<strong>Zoological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>India</strong>, Southern Regional Centre,<br />

130, Santhome High Road, Chennai- 600 028.<br />

E-mail: kilango@rediffmai.com<br />

The family Psychodidae includes moth flies and sand flies, some <strong>of</strong> which are archaic<br />

Diptera originated in the super-continent Gondwana during Permain period and their<br />

extant taxa are now distributed in tropical and sub tropical countries. Aquatic habits <strong>of</strong><br />

moth flies are vulnerable to ecological changes; hence some species are indicator species.<br />

Sand flies are moisture-loving, found in the microhabitats such as mud holes and rock<br />

crevices. The genus Phlebotomus contains vectors <strong>of</strong> human leishmaniases. Dr Nelson<br />

Annandale, the founder Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>Zoological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>India</strong> had a special interest on<br />

psychodids and laid a strong foundation on the taxonomy <strong>of</strong> <strong>India</strong>n moth flies and sand<br />

flies (Ilango, 2004a). The early studies <strong>of</strong> Annandale (1908-11) together with that <strong>of</strong><br />

Brunetti (1912) provided tantalizing glimpses <strong>of</strong> psychodid taxonomy which was<br />

subsequently updated by Quate (1962) with fragmentary re-descriptions and figures.<br />

However, the discovery <strong>of</strong> Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti – the proven<br />

vector <strong>of</strong> visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in <strong>India</strong>, and its intra-specific variation were<br />

considered to be a monumental contribution to public health research in <strong>India</strong>. Because <strong>of</strong><br />

their cryptic biology and behavior, the systematics <strong>of</strong> <strong>India</strong>n psychodids is only partial<br />

with less than 100 species out the 2900 species known from the world (Duckhose 1973;<br />

Seccombe et al. 1993). However, the taxonomy <strong>of</strong> Phlebotomine sand flies, the genus<br />

Neotelmatoscopus (Psychodinae) and its biogeography from Tamil Nadu were studied in<br />

detail (Ilango et al. 1994; Ilango, 1994. 2004b, 2006).<br />

A taxonomic list <strong>of</strong> moth flies and sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from <strong>India</strong><br />

Family <strong>PSYCHODIDAE</strong> (Moth flies)<br />

I. Subfamily HORAIELLINAE<br />

Genus HORAIELLA Tonnoir 1933<br />

1. Horaiella consimilis Tonnoir 1933<br />

2. Horaiella prodigiosa Tonnoir 1933<br />

II. Subfamily PSYCHODINAE<br />

Genus PERICOMA Walker 1856<br />

3. Pericoma margininotata Brunetti 1908<br />

4. Pericoma metatarsalis Brunetti 1911<br />

5. Pericoma metatarsalis var. khasiensis Senior-White 1922<br />

6. Pericoma solangensis Kaul 1971

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Genus Thornburghiella Vaillant 1976<br />

7. Thornburghiella alaeoensis (Kaul) 1971<br />

8. Thornburghiella hamtensis (Kaul) 1971<br />

9. Thornburghiella longipenis (Kaul) 1971<br />

10. Thornburghiella mixta (Brunetti) 1911<br />

11. Thornburghiella singularis (Quate) 1962<br />

12. Thornburghiella spinicornis (Brunetti) 1908<br />

Genus TELMATOSCOPUS Eaton 1904<br />

Subgenus GLOGMIA Enderlein 1937<br />

13. Telmatoscopus (Glogmia) albipunctatus (Williston) 1893<br />

Unplaced species <strong>of</strong> Telmatoscopus<br />

14. Telmatoscopus lacteitarsis (Brunetti) 1908<br />

15. Telmatoscopus squaminervis Brunetti 1911<br />

16. Telmatoscopus longichaetus (Brunetti) 1911<br />

Genus NEOTELMATOSCOPUS Tonnoir 1933<br />

17. Neotelmatoscopus horai (Tonnoir) 1933<br />

18. Neotelmatoscopus ctenophorus Ilango 1994<br />

Genus BRUNETTIA Annandale 1910<br />

19. Brunettia annandalei (Brunetti) 1908<br />

20. Brunettia argenteopunctata (Brunetti) 1908<br />

21. Brunettia indiensis Quate 1962<br />

22. Brunettia novemnotata (Brunetti) 1911<br />

23. Brunettia squamipennis (Brunetti) 1908<br />

24. Brunettia superstes (Annandale) 1908<br />

25. Brunettia travancorica Annandale<br />

Genus PHILOSEPEDON Eaton 1904<br />

26. Philosepedon decora (Brunetti) 1911<br />

27. Philosepedon distans (Brunetti) 1911<br />

Genus TRICHOPSYCHODA Tonnoir 1922<br />

28. Trichopsychoda hirtipennis (Brunetti) 1911<br />

Genus PSYCHODA Latreille 1796<br />

29. Psychoda acanthostyla Tokunaga 1957<br />

30. Psychoda alabangensis del Rosario 1936<br />

31. Psychoda bengalensis Brunetti 1908<br />

32. Psychoda harrisi Satchell 1950<br />

33. Psychoda makati del Rosario 1936<br />

34. Psychoda nigripennis Brunetti 1908<br />

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35. Psychoda parthenogenetica Tonnoir 1940<br />

36. Psychoda vittata Brunetti 1908<br />

Unrecognized species <strong>of</strong> Psychodinae<br />

37. Psychoda albopicta Brunetti 1911<br />

38. Psychoda apicalis Brunetti 1911<br />

39. Psychoda fulvohirta Brunetti 1911<br />

40. Psychoda gilvipes Brunetti 1908<br />

41. Psychoda impunctata Brunetti 1911<br />

42. Psychoda orbicularis Brunetti 1911<br />

43. Psychoda transversa Brunetti 1911<br />

III. Subfamily PHLEBOTOMINAE (Sand flies)<br />

Genus PHLEBOTOIELLA Solarzano Kraemer & Wagner 2009 (Fossil)<br />

44. Phlebotoiella eoindianensis Solarzano Kraemer & Wagner 2009 (Fossil)<br />

Genus SERGENTOMYIA Franca & Parrot 1920<br />

Subgenus GRASSOMYIA Theodor 1958<br />

45. Sergentomyia (Grassomyia indica) (Theodor) 1931<br />

Subgenus NEOPHLEBOTOMUS Franca & Parrot 1920<br />

46. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) arboris (Sinton) 1931<br />

47. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) charavarti (Mitra & Roy) 1953<br />

48. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) dhandai Lewis 1978<br />

49. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) iyengari Sinton 1933<br />

50. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) linearis Lewis 1978<br />

51. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) malabarica (Annandale) 1910<br />

52. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) nilamburensis Kaul & Prabha 1993<br />

53. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) purii (Sinton) 1931<br />

54. Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) zeylanica (Annandale) 1910<br />

Subgenus PARROTOMYIA Theodor 1958<br />

55. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) babu (Annandale) 1910<br />

56. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) baghdadis (Adler & Theodor) 1910<br />

57. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) himalayensis (Annandale) 1910<br />

58. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) insularis (Theodor) 1938<br />

59. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) kauli Lewis 1978<br />

60. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) modii Lewis1978<br />

61. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) shorttii (Adler & Theodor) 1927<br />

62. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) yercaudensis Ilango 2004<br />

63. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) sp. A Kaul, Dhanda & Modi 1973<br />

64. Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) sp. B Kaul, Dhanda & Modi 1973<br />

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Subgenus SERGENTOMYIA Franca & Parrot 1919<br />

65. Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) punjabensis Sinton 1933<br />

Subgenus Sintonius Nitzulescu 1931<br />

66. Sergentomyia (Sintonius) christophersi Sinton 1927<br />

67. Sergentomyia (Sintonius eadithae Sinton 1932<br />

68. Sergentomyia (Sintonius) hospitii Sinton 1924<br />

69. Sergentomyia (Sintonius) orissa Kaul & Lewis 1977<br />

70. Sergentomyia (Sintonius) shirohi Kaul, Dhanda & Modi 1973<br />

Species Group Nicnic Theodor 1948<br />

71. Sergentomyia bailyi (nicni Group) (Sinton) 1931<br />

72. Sergentomyia shettyi (nicni Group) Ilango 1994<br />

Sergentomyia Ungrouped<br />

73. Sergentomyia koraputa Lewis & Kaul 1987<br />

74. Sergentomyia montana Sinton 1924<br />

Genus Phlebotomus Rondani & Berte 1840<br />

Subgenus Adlerius Nitzulescu 1931<br />

75. Phlebotomus (Adlerius) hindustanicus Theodor 1958<br />

76. Phlebotomus (Adlerius) longiductus Parrot 1928<br />

Subgenus Anaphlebotomus Theodor 1948<br />

77. Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) colabaensis Young & Chalam 1927<br />

78. Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni Newstead 1914<br />

79. Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) hoepplii Tang & Maa 1945<br />

Subgenus Euphlebotomus Theodor 1948<br />

80. Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argetipes Annandale & Brunetti 1908<br />

Subgenus Idiophlebotomus Quate & Fairchild 1961<br />

81. Phlebotomus (Idiophlebotomus) tubifer Lewis & Lane 1976<br />

Subgenus Kasaulius Lewis 1982<br />

82. Phlebotomus (Kasaulius) newsteadi Sinton 1926<br />

Subgenus Larroussius Notzulescu 1931<br />

83. Phlebotomus (Larroussius) major Annandale 1910<br />

Subgenus Paraphlebotomus Theodor 1948<br />

84. Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri Sinton 1928<br />

85. Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti Parrot 1917<br />

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Subgenus Phlebotomus Rondani & Berte 1840<br />

86. Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi Scopoli 1786<br />

87. Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) salehi Mesghali 1965<br />

Subgenus Synphlebotomus Theodor 1948<br />

88. Phlebotomus (Synphlebotomus) eleanorae Sinton 193<br />

References<br />

Annandale, N. 1908. Notes on Oriental Diptera. V. Description <strong>of</strong> a new species <strong>of</strong><br />

psychodid <strong>of</strong> the genus Phlebotomus. Rec. <strong>India</strong>n Mus. 2: 101-104.<br />

Annandale, N. 1910a. The <strong>India</strong>n species <strong>of</strong> Papatasi fly (Phlebotomus). Rec. <strong>India</strong>n<br />

Mus. 4: 35-52.<br />

Annandale, N. 1911. Further notes on <strong>India</strong>n Phlebotomus. Rec. <strong>India</strong>n Mus. 4: 319-320.<br />

Brunetti, E. 1912. Family: Psychodidae (Diptera, Nematocera), pp. 192-265. In: Fauna<br />

<strong>of</strong> British <strong>India</strong>. Taylor and Francis, London.<br />

Duckhose, D. A. 1973. Family Psychodidae. Pp. 226-244, in M. M. Delfinado & D. E.<br />

Hardy (Eds) Catalogue <strong>of</strong> the Diptera <strong>of</strong> the Oriental Region 618 pp. Honolulu.<br />

Ilango, K. 2000. Morphological characteristics <strong>of</strong> the antennal flagellum and its sensilla<br />

chaetica with character displacement in Phlebotomus argentipes sensu lato. J. Biosci. 37:<br />

365-371.<br />

Ilango, K. 1994. Neotelmatoscopus ctenophorus, a new species from <strong>India</strong> (Diptera:<br />

Psychodidae). Aquatic Insects. 16: 141-145.<br />

Ilango, K. 2004a. The legacy <strong>of</strong> Dr. Nelson Annandale and his contribution to the<br />

taxonomy <strong>of</strong> Phlebotomine sandfly species (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)<br />

transmitting leishmaniasis. Rec. zool. Surv. <strong>India</strong>, 103: 115-121.<br />

Ilango. K. 2004b. A review <strong>of</strong> the Sergentomyia babu species complex (Diptera:<br />

Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) with description <strong>of</strong> new species from <strong>India</strong>. Oriental<br />

Insects, 38: 77-83.<br />

Ilango, K. 2006. Torrential hill-stream Nematocerous Diptera from the Suruli Falls,<br />

Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, Southern <strong>India</strong> and a note biogeography <strong>of</strong> the mothfly<br />

Neotelmatoscopus Tonnoir (Psychodidae). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 102(3): 113-166.<br />

Ilango, K., V. Dhanda, R. Srinivasan, A. V. Sadanand, and R. P. Lane. 1994.<br />

Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) <strong>of</strong> Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, southern<br />

<strong>India</strong>, in relation to visceral leishmaniasis. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol. 88: 413-431.<br />

Quate, L. W. 1962. Psychodidae (Diptera) at the <strong>Zoological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>India</strong>. Proc.<br />

Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 18: 155-188.<br />

Seccombe, A. K., P. D. Ready, and L. M. Huddleston. 1993. A catalogue <strong>of</strong> Old<br />

World Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). No. 8 Occasional<br />

Paper on Systematic Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London.<br />

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