A new species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein, 1921 (Diptera: Simuliidae, Simulium) from the Eastern Ghats, India

Authors
Suruliyandi Vijayan 1
Sankarappan Anbalagan 2
1 Department of Animal Health and Management, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Zoology, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University), Madurai-625002, Tamil Nadu, India
10.48311/jibs.11.4.873
Abstract
A new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sirumalaiense Vijayan & Anbalagan sp. nov., is described based on the morphological characters of adults (female and male), as well as the pupae and larvae. Pupae and larvae of a new species were collected from leaf litter and debris in streams, specifically on various plants and submerged boulders, cobbles, and pebbles. This new species is placed in the Simulium batoense species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein, 1921 by the following characters: antenna with nine flagellomeres, pleural membrane bare, female subcosta bare, pupal gill of eight slender thread-like filaments, hypostomal bristles per side lying parallel to the lateral margin in the larvae. It is morphologically similar to Simuim (G.) cauveryense.

Graphical Abstract

A new species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein, 1921 (Diptera: Simuliidae, Simulium) from the Eastern Ghats, India
Keywords
black flies
batoense species-group
aquatic habitats
lotic streams
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Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics
Volume 11, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 873-886