The genus Trypheridium Brancucci, 1985 is endemic to the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region, and is currently known from a single species, T. nuristanicum (Wittmer, 1956). Here, the genus is reviewed, T. nuristanicum nom. emend. is re-described and T. kashmiricum sp. nov. is described from Kashmir Himalayan Region of India. Descriptions, diagnoses, high quality images, distribution maps and identification keys are presented. The morphology and distribution of Trypheridium are discussed and compared with those of the closely related genus Trypherus LeConte, 1851.

This paper deals with the studies on the biology and development of the bark beetle Ips stebbingi Strohmeyer, 1908 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a pest of Himalayan blue pine Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jacks. in Kashmir Himalaya. This pest is an aggressive and notorious one, but little is known of its biology. This beetle pest overwinters in adult stage under the bark of host trees P. wallichiana. After emergence, the adults fly to suitable trees and undergo maturation feeding for 4–6 days. Reproduction is polygamous type; two to six females join a male in his nuptial chamber. After mating, each of the females makes one gallery with an average length of 10.76 (±3.30 standard deviation [SD]) cm. The female lays 23.16 (±7.03 SD) eggs on an average. The eggs hatch in 8–18 days. The larvae have five instars and complete their development in 30–45 days constructing larval galleries of 3.83 (±0.63 SD) cm in length. The larvae pupate for 18–28 days and finally the adults emerge to attack new suitable trees. The adults live for 45–70 days, and the total lifespan of this species ranges from 101 to 156 days. The seasonal distribution of various life stages and the number of generations were also recorded.

The Indian species of the genus Polygraphus Erichson, 1836 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) collected from various localities of the Western Himalayan region and the species available at the National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC), Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India) were studied and are reviewed herewith. A key to Indian species of Polygraphus is provided. Detailed bioecological field and laboratory observations of P. major including mating behaviour, gallery pattern, life cycle and seasonal history are reported.