Studies on Tribe Onitini (Scarabaeinae: Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) from Madhya Pradesh with a Checklist from India

The tribe Onitini under the subfamily Scarabaeinae of family Scarabaeidae includes about 210 tunnelling species under 18 entirely coprophagous genera. Except Cheironitis and Onitis, the other 16 genera are species poor, comprising one Palaearctic (Bubas, three species) and 15 African endemics. The composition of the tribe in Madhya Pradesh consisted of 7 species within 2 genera (Onitis and Cheironitis). Onitis falcatus has been recorded for the first time from the state. The details of specimens examined, illustrations and descriptions of adult beetle and their external male genitalia and intra specific variations have been discussed. The geographical distribution is provided along with an identification key for all the recorded species from the state. A checklist pertaining 15 species under 2 genera of the tribe Onitini from India is also prepared. © 2015, The National Academy of Sciences, India.