Indian Sawflies Biodiversity: Keys, Catalogue and Illustrations: Subfamily Tenthredininae Sans Genus Tenthredo L., Volume 2

This compilation on Indian Sawflies Biodiversity is the first comprehensive monographic treatment after Malaise 1945, that puts together an up-to-date know-how regarding the taxonomic information on subfamily Tenthredininae excluding genus Tenthredo L. from Indian subcontinent. Prior to the works of Saini and his co-workers i.e. about two and half decades back there was very meager and scanty information regarding this Sawfly Taxon. If seen in terms of arithmetic, before Saini and his party took up this group for further studies from this region, only 30 species belonging to 12 genera were on record. And the present picture is all together changed one with 130 species belonging to 15 genera which include 75 species and 1 genus as new to science and 2 genera along with 25 species as the first record. Nevertheless to accomplish this arduous task a thorough and repeated survey of all high altitude forest regions along the entire Himalayan belt was undertaken. In its present form, this work on Indian Tenthredininae provides an elaborate identification keys to all of its taxa, their detailed catalogue, illustrations and diagnostic features. It is not known why sub-order Symphyta (Hymenoptera was not covered under "Fauna of British India" volumes, but it certainly turned out to be the main reason for the stunted taxonomic growth of this insect group particularly at the hands of Indian naturalists. Summeringly, this treatment is sure to go a long way in removing the existing lacunae and bankruptcy of knowledge thus paving a way for those enthusiasts who would intended to dig deep into this field of research.