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Synopsis This volume covers the first revisionary work on Indian sawfly families such as Argidae, Diprionidae, Cimbicidae, Pamphiliidae, Siricidae, Xiphydriidae and Orussidae. To the hitherto known information i.e. 17 genera and 40 species under 7 families, 6 genera and 26 species have been added by Saini and his co-workers during the last 24 years. This compilations deals with 23 genera covering 66 valid species.

This work is an outcome of an exhaustive collection surveys of most of the high altitude localities situated along the Himalayan belt and the hills of North Eastern states. To accomplish this ardous task Saini and his co-workers repeatedly surveyed these area in different seasons and at different times.

This work provides elaborate identification keys both at the species and generic level, detailed catalogue, illustrations of various taxonomical characters, brief remarks and diagnostic features.

Since the sub-order Symphyta (Hymenoptera) as a whole was not covered under "Fauna of British India" volumes, so due to the absence of basic knowledge (identification keys, catalogue etc.) the work on Indian sawflies in general remained intentionally or unintentionally ignored at the hands of Indian naturalists.

However, this compilation will definitely overcome this difficulty and certainly cover this flaw. It is hoped the future symphytologists of this region will not feel handicapped from this angle and are certain to contribute tremendously in this field.