Entomologists discover two new fruit-fly species and genus Rhagoletis in Himachal Pradesh using patented Solan Bait

Key facts

• Entomologists identified two new fruit-fly species, Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae, in the Solan region of Himachal Pradesh.
• Acidoxantha paratotoflava is a medium-sized greenish-yellow fly with four black thoracic stripes and larger abdominal black spots, plus unique hook-like male structures.
• Hemilea suneriae is a reddish-brown fly with prominent black dots and a single clear wing window, named in memory of Maneesh Pal Singh’s mother Verma Suneri.
• The study recorded the genus Rhagoletis in India for the first time, a group globally known for infesting fruit crops.
• Researchers captured and described the male of Euphranta nigripeda, previously known only from females since 1913.
• The team used sweep nets and the patented female attractant Solan Bait to lure the elusive flies for examination.
• Host plants identified include the Silk Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), aiding ecosystem understanding.