Key to species of Drabescus from the Indian subcontinent (females)

[Female of D. austroindicus not known.]

1. Pronotum with anterior pale border anteriorly margined by dark brown and along lateral submargin margined laterally with dark brown (Figs 1K, 2E, 4A)........................................................................... 2

- Pronotum without such pale border (Figs 1AC, E)........................................................... 4

2. Dorsum of abdomen stramineous (visible through the forewings) (Figs 4 AB)...................... D. stramineus Distant

- Dorsum of abdomen dark brown or reddish brown........................................................... 3

3. Posterior margin of sternite VII with long median lobe length equalling or exceeding length of rest of the sternite (Fig. 2L)..................................................................................... D. shillongensis Rao

- Posterior margin of sternite VII with a median incision (Fig. 2I)................................. D. limbaticeps (Stål)

4. Posterior margin of sternite VII with deep V-shaped incision (Fig. 2K)........................ D. nigrofacialis (Distant)

- Posterior margin of sternite VII without median incision (Figs 2 HJ)............................................. 5

5. Sternite VII with median U-shaped excavation (Fig. 2G)..................................... D. angulatus Signoret

- Sternite VII with median convexity or with a median lobe......................................................6

6. Yellowish white with dark brown rich maculation on head and thorax; posterior margin of sternite VII sinuate (Fig. 2J)................................................................................. D. nervosopunctatus Signoret

- Reddish brown marked with yellowish white; posterior margin of sternite VII with small median lobe (Fig. 2H).................................................................................................. D. kempi Pruthi