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Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) monticola, a new species of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae), from the Kani tribal settlements, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, southern India was described. These settlements were located in the Western Ghats, which is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Morphological characters of male and female specimens of Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) monticola were described with illustrations and its taxonomic position is defined within the genus. The DNA barcode analysis showed that both male and female specimens of the species were belonging to a single taxonomic category. The genetic distance with the most similar taxonomic neighbour was 14.61%, which confirms its distinctness from its congeners. Voucher specimens of the new species were deposited at the museum, Vector Control Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Puducherry, India, Zoological Survey of India, India and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Washington, D.C., USA., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) jerighatiansis a new species of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) from the villages of Kandhamal district, Orissa, located on the east coast of India is described. Descriptive morphology, character measurements, and illustrations of males and females are provided and its taxonomic position within the genus is also defined. Voucher specimens of the new species have been deposited at the museum, Vector Control Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Puducherry, India and Zoological Survey of India, India., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly, Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) vadhanurensis, is described from Puducherry Union Territory, India, with illustrations of adult female and male specimens. This species was collected in tree holes, tree buttresses, termite mounds, cattle sheds, and human dwellings from rural areas.

Both sexes of Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) rectangulata sp. nov. from southern India are described with illustrations. The specimens were collected in tree holes, termite mounds, cattle sheds and mud-walled, thatched roof human dwellings in rural areas. Our findings reveal similarity with Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) modii Lewis.

Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) pondicherriensis is a new species of phlebotomine sand fly belonging to the genus Sergentomyia and subgenus Sergentomyia is described with illustrations of adult females and males. Other six species under the subgenus Sergentomyia are Se. (Ser.) punjabensis (Sinton), Se. (Ser.) dentata (Sinton), Se. (Ser.) theodori (Parrot), Se. (Ser.) murgabiensis (Perfiliew), Se. (Ser.) mervynae Pringle, and Se. (Ser.) fallax afghanica Artemiev. Sergentomyia pondicherriensis sp. nov was collected from termite mounds, in one of the villages of Puducherry Union Territory, Southern India. A revised key to the species of the subgenus Sergentomyia is also included.

The taxonomic status of the sand fly Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes Annandale & Brunette 1908, which transmits Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani (Laveran & Mesnil 1903) in southern Asia, is reassessed, because variation in morphology, behavior, and distribution suggests it to be a complex of sibling species. The putative complex is composed of the nominotypical member Phlebotomus argentipes sensu stricto, Phlebotomus annandalei Sinton 1923 status revived and Phlebotomus glaucus Mitra & Roy 1953 new status. An allolectotype is designated for the female of P. argentipes as well as neotypes for the males of P. annandalei and P. glaucus. Morphological descriptions, illustrations, and keys are presented to allow identification of adult males and females. Based on female morphological characters, P. argentipes s.s., P. annandalei and P. glaucus can be distinguished from each other using principal component analysis. P. glaucus is widespread in India, occurring sympatrically with P. argentipes s.s. in L. donovani-endemic foci, whereas P. annandeli is peripatric to the type species in Chennai, southern India. "In copula" is a process of postcopulatory sexual selection occurring as correlated coevolution of male and female reproductive traits, which drives species isolation. This pattern has been implicated in reproductive isolation among the members of the P. argentipes complex. Further research on adult behavior and larval biology of the P. argentipes complex is needed to understand the epidemiology and control of visceral leishmaniasis.

Background & Objectives: The recently recognized endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Satluj river valley in Himachal Pradesh (India) lies in north-western Himalayas (30 degrees N, 70 degrees E). This endemic focus of leishmaniasis appears peculiar where localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) co-exists with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and Leishmania donovani is predominant pathogen for LCL whereas only a few cases have been due to Leishmania tropica. This study was carried out to collect sandflies, identify and delineate their habitat and role in transmission of human leishmaniasis in this endemic focus., Methods: During June 2003 to September 2007, 142 (M-22, F-120) sandflies were collected with aspirators from 10 endemic villages of Kinnaur and Shimla districts., Results & Conclusion: Sixty-two of the identified sandflies caught belonged to the genus Phlebotomus species, including some species that are known to act as vectors of the parasites causing human leishmaniasis. The Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus (Parrot), 1928 (28 sandflies), P. major (8 sandflies), P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi (Lewis), 1967 (8 sandflies) were identified. The identification of the main species of vector sandfly in the region is complicated because it is still uncertain which Leishmania species cause(s) the local human leishmaniasis. Circumstantially it seems likely, however, that Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus is the main vector. Other species found, such as P. major and P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi, may also be responsible for some cases. A more elaborate study is recommended.

In this communication four new species of phlebotomine sandflies collected from Western Ghats physiographic division in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are described. Three of the new species are assigned to the Subgenus Neophlebotomus while one belongs to the nicnic group.