First report of genus Coelosternechus Heller (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from India along with redescription of Coelosternechus carinulatus (Heller)

Abstract

Cryptorhynchinae is one of the largest and diverse subfamily of family Curculionidae which includes serious pests causing enormous losses to forest trees. This subfamily currently includes 99 species under 23 genera and 99 species from India. The present study focuses on genus Coelosternechus Heller, which is currently represented by two species namely C. philippinensis and C. carinulatus from Philippines and Java respectively. In this paper genus Coelosternechus with its known species C. carinulatus Heller is being reported for the first time from India from Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu and Silchar in Assam. This genus can be diagnosed with the following set of characters: pectoral canal passing anterior margin of mesocoxae; mesosternal receptacle cavernous, U-shaped; mesosternum arched posteriorly, its apex close to a line between the posterior margins of hind coxae; femora bidentate, not sulcate beneath. Coelosternechus carinulatus has been redescribed along with illustrations and photographs of important diagnostic characters.