New record of white grub species from Punjab and Jammu Kashmir (India)

In India, Rhizotrogini is the major tribe of the subfamily Melolonthinae of the Scarabaeidae, known for its cosmopolitan nature. A frequent survey and monitoring for Rhizotrogini tribe species have been conducted in the locality of Phagwara Punjab and near Vaishno Devi Temple in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It was conducted, during the April and June months of 2024 to ascertain the occurrence of various species from the locality.

Mainly, it was conducted with the help of manual scouting at street lights and on different host trees. The overall survey revealed the occurrence of Holotrichia freyi Mittal and Pajni 1977 and Brahmina comata Blanchard 1850 from Punjab and Jammu regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India, respectively. It is the first record of H. freyi in Punjab and the first report of B. comata from the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.