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49
International Journal of Entomology Research
www.entomologyjournals.com
ISSN: 2455-4758
Received: 15-10-2022, Accepted: 03-11-2022, Published: 19-11-2022
Volume 7, Issue 11, 2022, Page No. 49-64
A preliminary checklist of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) along Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,
West Bengal, India
Rujas Yonle
Department of Zoology, Environmental Biology Laboratory, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Abstract
A pilot study of moth diversity was conducted along the transitional area of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal,
India. A total of 226 species of moths belonging to 193 genera, 14 Superfamilies, 25 families, and 54 Subfamilies were
recorded and identified within the study area. All specimens were collected using light traps, and opportunist survey methods.
The family wise species richness data indicated family Crambidae the highest with 28 % of the total species followed by
Erebidae 19.11 %, Geometridae 16.88 %, Noctuidae 4.4%, Sphingidae 3.11% while the rest 28.5% species belonged to 20
other families.
Keywords: moth, diversity, lepidoptera, heterocera, mahananda wildlife sanctuary, West Bengal
Introduction
Moths are nocturnal, holometabolous, phytophagous insects
that provide important ecosystem services like pollination of
crepuscular and night flowering plants, as well as serving as
prey in the food chain (Shah and Mitra, 2015) [33]. Moths
have a wide range of species and can adapt to almost any
climatic situation, making them one of the most successful
animals on the planet (Sekhon, 2015) [32]. More than 90% of
all lepidopterans on the planet are members of these
polyphyletic insect group, and a considerable number of
moth species, mainly from tropical locations, are still
waiting to be discovered and named (Heppner, 2008) [21].
India also exhibits a very rich assemblage with over 12,000
species of moths (Chandra and Nema, 2007) [6]. In West
Bengal, India recently Shah. et al., (2018) [34] have
documented information of 1058 species belonging to 614
genera and 36 families.
The earliest work on moths from the adjoining regions are
described by Hampson, (1892, 1894, 1895, 1896) [11-14]; Bell
and Scott, (1937) [4] in their books Fauna of British India.
More recently Shah and Mitra, (2015) [33] reported 39
species of moths associated with a few tea gardens of
Darjeeling district a very popular agricultural landscape of
North Bengal and areas surrounding the Mahananda
Wildlife Sanctuary. Chettri and Yonle, (2021) [7] have also
recently reported 407 species of moths from the Darjeeling
hills of West Bengal.
The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary located in the lower
hills and terai plains of Darjeeling District along the western
bank of the river Tista also falls within the rich biodiversity
hotspot region of the Eastern Himalayas. The riverain and
dense mixed wet forests with varying altitudes ranging from
150 meters to 1300 meters hosts the existence of many
species of flora and fauna. A field survey of Mahananda
Wildlife Sanctuary by Wildlife wing, Forest Development
Corporation, Forest Division of West Bengal, and natural
environment and wildlife organization reported a total of 29
species of Lepidoptera. However, no moth species were
mentioned in the project report (Bagchi and Bagchi, 1996)
[2]. Ghosh and Biswas, (2019) [8] have also recorded 46
species of moths in their biodiversity report for North
Bengal Wild Animal Park, NBWAP, a zoological park
adjacent to Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. However,
significant literature and documentation on Mahananda
Wildlife Sanctuary's moth variety are still lacking. The goal
of this research is to compile a preliminary checklist of
moth species found in and around the Mahananda Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Materials and Methods
The present study was conducted in three study sites. Sukna
forest (site 1), North Bengal Wild Animal Park, NBWAP
(site 2), and Latpanchar forest (site 3) transitional areas
from the western, southern, and northern boundary of
Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary respectively during 2019 –
2020 (Fig. 1A). The study at NBWAP was done in the three
animal night shelters viz. tiger, leopard, and bear shelters of
the NBWAP. The continuous illumination of the animal
shelters during the night in the form of the actinic source
i.e., fluorescent light bulb, LED bulbs, halogen bulbs, UV
insect traps, and incandescent light bulb acted as a light trap/
attractant for the moths. Light trap sheet made up of white
cloth measuring 4 by 6 feet with light-emitting actinic
source i.e., fluorescent light bulb (15W) and incandescent
light bulb (60W) was used as a primary means of
documentation of moths from Sukna forest and Latpanchar
forest.
The documentation of moths was based mainly on
opportunistic surveys that were conducted in morning and
night visits to these animal night shelters of NBWAP
whereas a total of 74 survey nights were conducted and the
moths were observed for about five hours every night from
1900 h till 2200 h in Sukna forest and Latpanchar forest.
The moths were not collected but were identified using
digital colour photographs.
International Journal of Entomology Research www.entomologyjournals.com
50
Fig 1A: Map of the study area with site locations.
Identification was based on morphological characters using
standard literature, illustrated guides, and online
biodiversity portals available like Hampson (1892, 1894,
1895, 1896) [11-14], Bell and Scott (1937) [4], Schintlmeister
and Pinratana, (2007) [31]; Kononenko and Pinratana, (2013)
[26]; Haruta, (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000) [15-20];
Mishra et al., (2016) [27]; Sanyal et al., (2013, 2018) [29-30];
Singh et al., (2017a,b) [36-37]; Sondhi and Sondhi, (2016) [38];
Gielis and Wangdi, (2017) [10]; Shah et al., (2018) [34];
Irungbam et al., (2016, 2017)[22-23]; Kirti and Singh,
(2015)[24]; Kirti et al., (2019) [25]; Shubhalaxmi, (2018) [35];
Ghosh and Chaudhury, (1997) [9]; Volynkin et al., (2019)
[40]; LepIndex Beccaloni et al., (2003)[2]; (http://www.
mothsofndia.org/; Sondhi et al., 2020) [39].
The nomenclature for families has been followed according
to Van Nieukerken et al., (2011) [28]. The images were
compared through visual similarities and then verified for
identification. The identified photographed species were
then catalogued as in (Table.1).
Table 1
Sl. No.
Super family
Family
Sub family
Name
Author, Year
1.
Alucitoidea
Alucitidae
-
Alucita sp.
Linneaus, 1758
2.
Bombycoidea
Eupteroidae
Eupterotinae
Ganisa similis
Moore, 1884
3.
Bombycoidea
Endromidae
Bombycinae
Mustilia sp.
Moore, 1879
4.
Bombycoidea
Saturniidae
Saturniinae
Cricula trifenestrata
Helfer, 1837
5.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Acosmeryx naga
Moore, 1858
6.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Acosmeryx sericeus
Walker, 1856
7.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Cechetra scotti
Rothschild, 1920
8.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Hippotion Celerio
Linnaeus, 1758
9.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Pergesa acteus
Walker, 1856
10.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Macroglossinae
Theretra nessus
Drury, 1773
11.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Smerinthinae
Ambulyx cyclasticta
Joicey &Kaya, 1917
12.
Bombycoidea
Sphingidae
Sphinginae
Acherontia styx
Westwood, 1847
13.
Cossoidea
Cossidae
Zeuzerinae
Zeuzera sp.
Latreille, 1804
14.
Drepanoidea
Drepanidae
Cyclidiinae
Cyclidia rectificata
Walker, 1862
15.
Drepanoidea
Drepanidae
Drepaninae
Callidrepana argenteola
Moore, 1860
16.
Drepanoidea
Drepanidae
Drepaninae
Drapetodes mitaria
Guenée, 1857
17.
Drepanoidea
Drepanidae
Thyatirinae
Gaurena florens
Walker, 1865
18.
Drepanoidea
Drepanidae
Thyatirinae
Gaurena florescens
Walker, 1865
19.
Gelechioidea
Depressariidae
Ethmiinae
Ethmia lineatonotella
Moore, 1868
20.
Gelechioidea
Lecithoceridae
-
Aeolanthes sp.
Meyrick, 1907
21.
Gelechioidea
Lecithoceridae
-
Scythropiodes sp.
Matsumura, 1931
22.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Desmobathrinae
Eumelea ludovicata
Guenée, 1858
23.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Desmobathrinae
Eumelea rosalia
Stoll, 1781
24.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Abraxas neomartaria
Inoue 1970
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25.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Alcis albifera
Moore, 1888
26.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Amblychia angeronaria
Guenée, 1858
27.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Catoria sp.
Walker, 1866
28.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Celenna festivaria
Fabricius, 1794
29.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Chiasmia emersaria
Walker, 1861
30.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Chiasmia sp.
Hubner, 1823
31.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Chiasmia xanthonora
Walker, 1861
32.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Cleora contiguta
Denis &Schiffermüller, 1775
33.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Ectropis bhurmitra
Walker, 1860
34.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Fascellina plagiata
Walker, 1866
35.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Heterolocha biplagiata
Bastelberger, 1909
36.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Heterostegane urbica
Swinhoe, 1885
37.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Hypomecis lioptilaria
Swinhoe, 1903
38.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Hyposidra talaca
Walker, 1860
39.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Leptomiza calcearia
Walker, 1860
40.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Myrioblephara duplexa
Moore, 1888
41.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Ophthalmitis herbidaria
Guenée, 1858
42.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Petelia medardaria
Herrich-Schäffer, 1856
43.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Pseudomiza cruentaria
Moore, 1867
44.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Qurapteryx sciticaudaria
Walker, 1863
45.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Sirinopteryx quadripunctata
Moore, 1868
46.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Agathia carissima
Butler, 1878
47.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Agathia lycaenaria
Kollar, 1844
48.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Comostola laesaria
Walker, 1861
49.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Hemithea tritonaria
Walker, 1863
50.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Oenospila flavifusata
Walker, 1869
51.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Pingasa ruginaria
Guenée, 1857
52.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Tanaorhinus kina
Swinhoe, 1893
53.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Tanaorhinus viridiluteata
Walker, 1861
54.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Geometrinae
Thalassodes immissaria
Walker, 1861
55.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Apithecia viridata
Moore, 1868
56.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Dysstroma cinereata
Moore, 1868
57.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Ecliptopera triangulifera
Moore, 1888
58.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Eois sp.
Hubner, 1818
59.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Perizoma sp.
Hübner, 1825
60.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Sterrhinae
Antitrygodes divisaria
Walker, 1861
61.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Sterrhinae
Idaea violacea
Hampson, 1891
62.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Sterrhinae
Scopula emissaria
Walker, 1861
63.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Sterrhinae
Synegiodes diffusifascia
Swinhae, 1892
64.
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Sterrhinae
Timandra ruptilinea
Warren, 1897
65.
Geometroidea
Uraniidae
Epipleminae
Dysaethria quadricaudata
Walker,1861
66.
Geometroidea
Uraniidae
Epipleminae
Epiplema sp.
Herrich- Schaffer, 1855
67.
Geometroidea
Uraniidae
Epipleminae
Phazaca theclata
Guenée,1857
68.
Hyblaeoidea
Hyblaeidae
Hyblaea
Hyblaea puera
Cramer, 1777
69.
Lasiocampoidea
Lasiocampidae
Lasiocampinae
Trabala ganesha
Roepke, 1951
70.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Adites frigida
Walker,1854
71.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Ammatho cuneonotatus
Walker, 1855
72.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Aganainae
Asota caricae
Fabricius, 1775
73.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Creatonotos gangis
Linnaeus, 1763
74.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Creatonotos transiens
Walker, 1855
75.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Cyana arama arama
Moore, 1859
76.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Cyana catorhoda
Hampson, 1897
77.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Cyana detrita
Walker, 1854
78.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Cyme euprepioides
Walker, 1862
79.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Eugoa sp.
Francis & Walker, 1858
80.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Gampola sp.
Moore, 1878
81.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Hemonia orbiferana
Walker, 1863
82.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Huangilene alikangiae
Strand, 1917
83.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Kailasha effracta
Walker, 1854
84.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Lobobasis niveimaculata
Hampson, 1896
85.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Miltochrista calamaria
Moore, 1888
86.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Miltochrista dharma
Moore, 1879
87.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Miltochrista obsolete
Moore, 1878
88.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Miltochrista paraarcuata
Singh and Kirti, 2016
89.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Miltochrista sp.
Hubner, 1819
90.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Nyctemera adversata
Schaller, 1788
91.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Pseudoblabes oophore
Zeller, 1853
92.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Spilarctia sp.
Staudinger, 1891
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93.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Stictane rectilinear
Snellen, 1879
94.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Syntomoides imaon
Cramer, 1779
95.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Teuloma nebulosa
Walker, 1862
96.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Arctiinae
Vamuna remelana
Moore, 1866
97.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Boletobiinae
Ataboruza divisa
Walker, 1862
98.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Boletobiinae
Eublemma accedens
Felder &Rogenhofer, 1874
99.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Boletobiinae
Eublemma roseonivea
Walker, 1863
100.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Calpinae
Eudocima salaminia
Cramer, 1777
101.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Calpinae
Tamba rufipennis
Hampson, 1895
102.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Bastilla absentimacula
Guenée, 1852
103.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Bastilla crameri
Moore, 1885
104.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Bastilla joviana
Stoll, 1782
105.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Erebus Macropus
Linnaeus, 1768
106.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Grammodes geometrica
Fabricius, 1775
107.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Hypopyra vespertilio
Fabricius, 1787
108.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Pindara illibata
Fabricius, 1775
109.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Serrodes campana
Guenée, 1852
110.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Erebinae
Spirama sp.
Hübner, 1824
111.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Herminiinae
Hydrillodes lentalis
Guenée, 1854
112.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Hypeninae
Hypena laceratalis
Walker, 1859
113.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Hypeninae
Hypena obacerralis
Walker, 1859
114.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Arctornis sp.
Germar, 1810
115.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Artaxa sp.
Francis & Walker, 1855
116.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Dasychira chekiangensis
Collenette, 1938
117.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Lymantria bivitatta
Moore, 1879
118.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Lymantria mathura
Moore, 1866
119.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Nygmia plana
Walker, 1856
120.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Olene inclusa
Walker, 1856
121.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Orgyia postica
Walker, 1855
122.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Ramadra calligramma
Walker, 1865
123.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Somena scintillans
Walker, 1856
124.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Lymantriinae
Somena similis
Moore, 1860
125.
Noctuoidea
Erebidae
Tinoliinae
Tinolius eburneigutta
Walker, 1855
126.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Acronictinae
Diphtherocome sp.
Warren, 1907
127.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Aganainae
Mecodina praecipua
Walker, 1865
128.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Calpinae
Gesonia obeditalis
Walker, 1859
129.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Eriopinae
Callopistria placodoides
Guenée, 1816
130.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Eustrotiinae
Maliattha signifera
Walker, 1857
131.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Noctuinae
Leucania sp.
Ochsenheimer, 1816
132.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Noctuinae
Pseudeustrotia sp.
Warren, 1913
133.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Noctuinae
Spodoptera litura
Fabricius, 1775
134.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Plusiinae
Chrysodeixis eriosoma
Doubleday, 1843
135.
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Plusiinae
Zonoplusia ochreata
Walker, 1865
136.
Noctuoidea
Nolidae
Nolinae
Nola lucidalis
Walker, 1864
137.
Noctuoidea
Notodontidae
Pygaerinae
Spatalia sikkima
Moore, 1879
138.
Noctuoidea
Notodontidae
Notodontinae
Syntypistis pallidifascia
Hampson, 1893
139.
Pterophoroidea
Pterophoridae
Pterophorinae
Stenoptilodes taprobanes
Felder &Rogenhofer, 1875
140.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Ambia sp.
Walker, 1859
141.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Elophila sp.
Hubner, 1822
142.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Eoophyla peribocalis
Walker, 1859
143.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Parapoynx bilinealis
Snellen, 1876
144.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Parapoynx crisonalis
Walker, 1859
145.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Acentropinae
Parapoynx fluctuosalis
Meyrick, 1899
146.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Crambinae
Chrysoteuchia sp.
Hubner, 1825
147.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Glaphyriinae
Crocidolomia pavonana
Fabricius, 1794
148.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Odontiinae
Autocharis fessalis
Swinhoe, 1886
149.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Odontiinae
Pitama lativitta
Moore, 1888
150.
Pyraloidea
Pyralidae
Phycitinae
Epicrocis oegnusalis
Walker, 1859
151.
Pyraloidea
Pyralidae
Phycitinae
Epicrocis sp.
Zeller, 1848
152.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyralinae
Endotricha mesenterialis
Walker, 1859
153.
Pyraloidea
Pyralidae
Pyralinae
Endotricha sp
Zeller, 1847
154.
Pyraloidea
Pyralidae
Pyralinae
Hypsopygia mauritialis
Boisduval, 1833
155.
Pyraloidea
Pyralidae
Pyralinae
Pyralis manihotalis
Guenée, 1854
156.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Hyalobathra coenostolalis
Snellen, 1890
157.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Isocentris filalis
Guenée, 1854
158.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Mabra eryxalis
Walker, 1859
159.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Nacoleia sp.
Walker, 1859
160.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Ostrinalis sp
Hübner, 1796
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161.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Ostrinia furnacalis
Guenée, 1854
162.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Pagyda salvalis
Walker, 1859
163.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Pyraustinae
Spoladae recurvalis
Fabricius, 1775
164.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Schoenobiinae
Scirpophaga incertulas
Walker, 1863
165.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Aethaloessa calidalis
Guenée, 1854
166.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Agathodes ostentalis
Geyer, 1837
167.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Agrotera basinotata
Hampson, 1891
168.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Arthroschista hilaralis
Walker,1859
169.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Bradina diagonalis
Guenée, 1854
170.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Ceratarcha umbrosa
Swinhoe, 1894
171.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Cirrhochrista brizoalis
Walker, 1859
172.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Conogethes punctiferalis
Guenée, 1858
173.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Cotachena nepalensis
Yamanaka, 2000
174.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Cydalima pfeifferae
Lederer, 1863
175.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Diaphania indica
Saunders, 1851
176.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Endocrossis flavibasalis
Moore, 1867
177.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Eurrhyparodes bracteolalis
Zeller, 1852
178.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Eusabena miltochristalis
Hampson, 1896
179.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glycythyma chrysorycta
Meyrick, 1884
180.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes actorionalis
Walker, 1859
181.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes bicolor
Swainson, 1821
182.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes bivitralis
Guenée, 1854
183.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes caesalis
Walker, 1859
184.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes canthusalis
Walker, 1859
185.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes onychinalis
Guenée, 1854
186.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Glyphodes stolalis
Guenée, 1854
187.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Goniorhynchus gratalis
Lederer, 1863
188.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Haritalodes derogate
Fabricius, 1775
189.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Herpetogramma cynaralis
Walker, 1859
190.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Herpetogramma luctuosalis
Guenée, 1854
191.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Hydriris ornatalis
Duponchel, 1832
192.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Lamprosema tampiusalis
Walker, 1859
193.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Leucinodes orbonalis
Guenée, 1854
194.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Marasmia exigua
Butler, 1879
195.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Marasmia poeyalis
Boisduval, 1833
196.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Maruca vitrata
Fabricius, 1787
197.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Meroctena tullalis
Walker, 1859
198.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Metoeca foedalis
Guenée, 1854
199.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Nausinoe sp.
Hubner, 1825
200.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Nevrina procopia
Stoll, 1781
201.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Notarcha tigrine
Moore, 1886
202.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Omiodes pernitescens
Swinhoe, 1894
203.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Omiodes surrectalis
Walker, 1866
204.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Omphisa anastomosalis
Guenée, 1854
205.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Palpita annulifer
Inoue, 1996
206.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Pardomima distortana
Strand, 1913
207.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Parotis marginata
Hampson, 1893
208.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Patania iopasalis
Walker, 1859
209.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Pilerocera sodalist
Leech, 1889
210.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Poliobotys ablactalis
Walker, 1859
211.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Polythlipta divaricate
Moore, 1885
212.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Pycnarmon jaguaralis
Guenée, 1854
213.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Pygospila tyres
Cramer, 1780
214.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Rhimphalea ochalis
Walker, 1859
215.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Sameodes cancellalis
Zeller, 1852
216.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Syllepte gastralis
Walker, 1866
217.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Syllepte sellalis
Guenée, 1854
218.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Synclera traducalis
Zeller, 1852
219.
Pyraloidea
Crambidae
Spilomelinae
Terastia egialealis
Walker, 1859
220.
Thyridoidea
Thyrididae
Striglininae
Striglina scitaria
Walker, 1862
221.
Tortricoidea
Tortricidae
Tortricinae
Homona sp.
Walker, 1863
222.
Tortricoidea
Tortricidae
Tortricinae
Homona tabescens
Meyrick, 1921
223.
Tortricoidea
Tortricidae
Olethreutinae
Loboschiza koenigiana
Fabricius, 1775
224.
Zygaenoidea
Limacodidae
Limacodinae
Birthamoides junctura
Walker, 1865
225.
Zygaenoidea
Zygaenidae
Chalcosiinae
Eterusia aedea
Clerck, 1759
226.
Zygaenoidea
Limacodidae
Limacodinae
Miresa sp.
Francis & Walker, 1855
Partial checklist of the Moths recorded from surroundings of Mahananda Wild life Sanctuary.
International Journal of Entomology Research www.entomologyjournals.com
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Results and Discussion
The present study recorded 226 species of moths belonging
to 193 genera, 14 Super families, 25 families and 54 Sub
families. Out of these 226 moth specimens, 196 have been
identified up to the species level while the rest 30 have been
identified till the genus level. All the moths in the checklist
are illustrated in the Fig.1B-226, (Table 1).
From this study, it was noted that family Crambidae had the
highest species richness with 28% of the total species that
was followed by Erebidae, Geometridae, Noctuidae and
Sphingidae with 19.11%, 16.88%,4.44% and 3.11% of the
total species respectively. The rest of the families accounted
for 28.5% of the total species (Fig. 227). Among the
families Crambidae showed the highest no species (75) and
genera (63) followed by Erebiade (55 species, 43 genera),
Geometridae (43 species,38 genera) Noctuidae (10 species
and 10 genera), and others (Fig .228).
Fig 1B-32: 1B. Alucita sp. 2. Ganisa similis 3. Mustilia sp. 4. Cricula trifenestrata 5. Acosmeryx naga 6. Acosmeryx sericeus 7. Cechetra
scotti 8. Hippotion Celerio 9. Pergesa acteus 10. Theretra nessus 11. Ambulyx cyclasticta 12. Acherontia styx 13. Zeuzera sp. 14. Cyclidia
rectificata 15. Callidrepana argenteola 16. Drapetodes mitaria 17. Gaurena florens 18. Gaurena florescens 19. Ethmia lineatonotella 20.
Aeolanthes sp.21. Scythropiodes sp.22 Eumelea ludovicata.23. Eumelea rosalia 24. Abraxas neomartaria 25. Alcis albifera 26. Amblychia
angeronaria 27. Catoria sp. 28. Celenna festivaria 29. Chiasmia emersaria 30. Chiasmia sp 31. Chiasmia xanthonora 32. Cleora contiguta
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Fig 33- 64: 33. Ectropis bhurmitra 34. Fascellina plagiata 35. Heterolocha biplagiata 36. Heterostegane urbica 37. Hypomecis lioptilaria
38. Hyposidra talaca 39. Leptomiza calcearia 40. Myrioblephara duplexa 41. Ophthalmitis herbidaria 42. Petelia medardaria 43.
Pseudomiza cruentaria 44. Qurapteryx sciticaudaria 45. Sirinopteryx quadripunctata 46. Agathia carissima 47. Agathia lycaenaria 48.
Comostola laesaria 49. Hemithea tritonaria 50. Oenospila flavifusata 51. Pingasa ruginaria 52. Tanaorhinus kina 53. Tanaorhinus
viridiluteata 54. Thalassodes immissaria 55. Apithecia viridata 56. Dysstroma cinereata 57. Ecliptopera triangulifera 58. Eois sp.59.
Perizoma sp. 60. Antitrygodes divisaria 61. Idaea violacea 62. Scopula emissaria 63. Synegiodes diffusifascia 64. Timandra ruptilinea
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Fig 65-95: 65. Dysaethria quadricaudata 66. Epiplema sp.67. Phazaca theclata 68. Hyblaea puera 69. Trabala ganesha 70. Adites frigida
71. Ammatho cuneonotatus 72. Asota caricae73 Creatonotos gangis.74. Creatonotos transiens 75. Cyana arama arama 76. Cyana
catorhoda 77. Cyana detrita 78. Cyme euprepioides 79. Eugoa sp.80. Gampola sp.81. Hemonia orbiferana 82. Huangilene alikangiae 83.
Kailasha effracta 84. Lobobasis niveimaculata 85. Miltochrista calamaria 86. Miltochrista dharma 87. Miltochrista obsoleta 88.
Miltochrista paraarcuata 89. Miltochrista sp.90. Nyctemera adversata 91. Pseudoblabes oophora 92 Spilarctia sp.93. Stictane rectilinear
94. Syntomoides imaon 95. Teuloma nebulosa 96. Vamuna remelana
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Fig 97-128: 97. Ataboruza divisa 98. Eublemma accedens 99. Eublemma roseonivea 100. Eudocima salaminia 101. Tamba rufipennis 102.
Bastilla absentimacula 103. Bastilla crameri 104. Bastilla joviana 105. Erebus macropus 106. Grammodes geometrica 107. Hypopyra
vespertilio 108. Pindara illibata109. Serrodes campana 110. Spirama sp. 111. Hydrillodes lentalis 112. Hypena laceratalis 113. Hypena
obacerralis 114. Arctornis sp.115. Artaxa sp.116. Dasychira chekiangensis 117. Lymantria bivitatta 118. Lymantria mathura 119. Nygmia
plana 120. Olene inclusa 121. Orgyia postica 122. Ramadra calligramma 123. Somena scintillans 124. Somena similis 125. Tinolius
eburneigutta 126. Diphtherocome sp. 127. Mecodina praecipua 128. Gesonia obeditalis
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Fig 129-160: 129. Callopistria placodoides 130. Maliattha signifera 131. Leucania sp.132. Pseudeustrotia sp.133. Spodoptera litura
134.Chrysodexis eriosoma 135. Zonoplusia ochreata 136. Nola lucidalis 137. Spatalia sikkima 138.Syntypistis pallidifascia 139.
Stenoptilodes taprobanes 140. Ambia sp 141. Elophila sp 142. Eoophyla peribocalis 143. Parapoynx bilinealis 144. Parapoynx crisonalis
145. Parapoynx fluctuosalis 146. Chrysoteuchia sp.147. Crocidolomia pavonana 148. Autocharis fessalis 149. Pitama lativitta 150.
Epicrocis oegnusalis 151. Epicrocis sp.152. Endotricha mesenterialis 153. Endotricha sp 154. Hypsopygia mauritialis 155. Pyralis
manihotalis 156. Hyalobathra coenostolalis 157. Isocentris filalis 158. Mabra eryxalis 159. Nacoleia sp.160. Ostrinalis sp
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Fig 161-192: 161. Ostrinia furnacalis 162. Pagyda salvalis 163. Spoladae recurvalis 164.Scirpophaga incertulas 164. Aethaloessa calidalis
166. Agathodes ostentalis 167. Agrotera basinotata 168. Arthroschista hilaralis 169. Bradina diagonalis 170. Ceratarcha umbrosa 171.
Cirrhochrista brizoalis 172. Conogethes punctiferalis 173. Cotachena nepalensis 174. Cydalima pfeifferae 175. Diaphania indica 176.
Endocrossis flavibasalis 177. Eurrhyparodes bracteolalis 178. Eusabena miltochristalis 179. Glycythyma chrysorycta 180. Glyphodes
actorionalis 181. Glyphodes bicolor 182. Glyphodes bivitralis 183. Glyphodes caesalis 184. Glyphodes canthusalis 185. Glyphodes
onychinalis 186. Glyphodes stolalis 187. Goniorhynchus gratalis 188. Haritalodes derogate 189. Herpetogramma cynaralis 190.
Herpetogramma luctuosalis 191. Hydriris ornatalis 192. Lamprosema tampiusalis
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Fig 193-224: 193. Leucinodes orbonalis 194. Marasmia exigua 195. Marasmia poeyalis 196. Maruca vitrata 197. Meroctena tullalis 198.
Metoeca foedalis 199 Nausinoe sp. 200. Nevrina procopia 201. Notarcha tigrine 202. Omiodes pernitescens 203. Omiodes surrectalis 204.
Omphisa anastomosalis 205. Palpita annulifer 206. Pardomima distortana 207. Parotis marginata 208. Patania iopasalis 209. Pilerocera
sodalis 210. Poliobotys ablactalis 211. Polythlipta divaricata 212. Pycnarmon jaguaralis 213. Pygospila tyres 214. Rhimphalea ochalis 215.
Syllepte gastralis 216. Sameodes cancellalis 217. Syllepte sellalis 218. Synclera traducalis 219 Terastia egialealis.200. Striglina scitaria
221. Homona sp. 222. Homona tabescens 223. Loboschiza koenigiana 224. Birthamoides junctura
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Fig 225- 226: 225. Eterusia aedea 226. Miresa sp.
Fig 227: Family wise patterns of moths species richness from surroundings of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.
The highest richness of family Crambidae in the study could
be attributed to the various agro-ecosystems and grassy
vegetation types surrounding the wildlife sanctuary. The
higher species richness within the families Crambidae,
Erebidae, Geometridae, and Noctuidae has also been
reported from similar observations from other parts of India
(Alex et al., 2021) [1]; (Biswas et al., 2016) [5]. Previously, a
field study from Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary failed to
report any moth species (Bagchi and Bagchi, 1996) [2] . A
more recent field study from NBWAP, previously a part
of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Baikunthapur Forest
Division reported only 29 species of moths (Ghosh and
Biswas, 2019) [8].
The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary has forest coverage
ranging from 150 to 1300 meters, with relatively steep to
precipitous mountain slopes and high ridges on the northern
boundary and gently sloping to virtually flat areas on the
terai and alluvial plains on the southern border. Sampling
the entire elevational gradient would yield a more unique
pattern of moth distribution and assemblages, as well as
ecological reasons. This pilot study's goal is to provide an
overview of moth diversity rather than comprehensive data.
However, this study could serve as a starting point for more
detailed and complete research in the Mahananda Wildlife
Sanctuary and its environs.
International Journal of Entomology Research www.entomologyjournals.com
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Fig 228: Number of moth species and genera recorded from surroundings of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.
Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank Smt Anuradha Rai, WBFS,
Assistant Director, North Bengal Wild Animal Park
(NBWAP) for helping with the documentation of moths,
Prayash Chettri and Aditya Pradhan for arranging the
photographs and figures.
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