Taxonomic Notes and New Records of Chironomini from India (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Abstract

The family Chironomidae (Diptera) is one of the most diverse groups of aquatic insects, yet its fauna remains poorly documented in India. This study reports four chironomid species newly recorded from India; Benthalia carbonaria (Meigen, 1804), Robackia demeijerei (Kruseman, 1933), Stenochironomus watsoni Freeman, 1961, and Polypedilum (Tripodura) masudai (Tokunaga, 1938), with supplementary morphological descriptions to support accurate identification and extend their known distributions. In addition, a redescription and neotype designation for Chironomus (Chironomus) lobaticeps Kieffer, 1911 are provided to resolve longstanding taxonomic ambiguity caused by damaged type material. Overall, this study enhances knowledge of the diversity, distribution, and taxonomy of Chironomini in India and underscores the need for continued faunistic and taxonomic investigations.