AbstractFive known species (asperulusQuate&Fairchild,erebicolusQuate,pholetorQuate&Fairchild,sejunctusQuate, andstellaeQuate) of the caverni‐colous subgenusPhlebotomus(Idiophlebotomus) are discussed in relation to newly recognized species from West Malaysia and India.P. frondifern.sp. andP. tubifern.sp. are described and a key to the adults of all seven species is given. General features of the subgenus are discussed, with particular reference to the functional relationships between the specialized morphology of the mouthparts and the probable bat hosts of these specie