An inventory of the moth fauna (Lepidoptera) of Jatinga, Assam, India

Abstract

707 Abstract An inventory of the moth fauna of a tiny North Eastern locality, Jatinga in North Cachar Hills (Haflong: Assam: latitude 24 to 28 18’ N, longitude 89 46’ E to 97 4’ E) is prepared for the first time. It includes 81 species referable to the genera Aetholix Lederer, Agathodes Guenee, Agrotera Schrank, Arthroschista Hampson, Bocchoris Moore, Botyodes Guenee, Chalcidoptera Butler, Diaphania Hubner, Dichocrocis Lederer, Glyphodes Guenee, Hemopsis Kirti and Rose, Herpetogramma Lederer, Heterocnephes Lederer, Hymenia Hubner, Indogrammodes Kirti and Rose, Ischnurges Lederer, Lamprosema Hubner, Limbobotys Munroe, Lygropia Lederer, Maruca Walker, Meroctena Lederer, Nagiella Munroe, Nausinoe Hubner, Nevrina Guenee, Notarcha Meyrick, Pagyda Walker, Palpita Hubner, Patania Moore, Phostria Hubner, Pionea Guenee, Polythlipta Lederer, Pramadea Moore, Prophantis Warren, Prorodes Swinhoe, Pycnarmon Lederer, Rhagoba Moore, Samea Guenee, Satanastra Meyrick, Sisyrophora Lederer, Syllepte Hubner, Synclera Lederer, Tangla Swinhoe, Tetridia Warren and Toxobotys Munroe and Mutuura of the subfamily Pyraustinae; 39 species belonging to the genera Achaea Hubner, Alamis Guenee, Anisoneura Guenee, Anua Walker, Artena Walker, Caranilla Moore, Chalciope Hubner, Cocytodes Guenee, Dysgonia Hubner, Entomogramma Guenee, Ercheia Walker, Eupatala Ragonot, Grammodes Guenee, Hypopyra Guenee, Lagoptera Guenee, Lygniodes Guenee, Mocis Hubner, Ophisma Ochsenheimer, Parallelia Hubner, Pericyma HerrichSchaffer, Phyllodes Boisduval, Pindara Moore, Thyas Hubner and Trigonodes Guenee of the subfamily Catocalinae; 44 species pertaining to the genera Aedia Hubner, Amphigonia Guenee, Anereuthina Hubner, Anomis Hubner, Asta Walker, Bamra Moore, Calyptra Ochsenheimer, Chrysopera Hampson, Delgamma Moore, Episparina Berio, Episparis Walker, Ericeia Walker, Eudocima Billberg, Fodina Guenee, Hamodes Guenee, Hulodes Guenee, Hypocala Guenee, Hypospila Guenee, Ischyja Hubner, Koptoplax Hampson, Lacera Guenee, Ommatophora Guenee, Oraesia Guenee, Othreis Hubner, Oxyodes Guenee, Platyja Hubner, Ramadasa Moore, Rhytia Hubner, Serrodes Guenee, Speiredonia Hubner, Sympis Guenee and Trichopolydesma Berio of the subfamily Ophiderinae; and 16 species belonging to the genera Acronicta Oschsenheimer, Apsarasa Moore, Athetis Hubner, Callopistria Hubner, Callyna Guenee, Chasmina Walker, Craniophora Snellen, Dipterygina Sugi, Eutamsia Fletcher, Prospalta Walker, Spodoptera Guenee and Yepcalphis Nye of the subfamily Acronictinae. In all, 180 species have been recorded from this locality, which is situated in one of the biodiversity hot spots in India. It has been made out that the spot be given due attention both by the Entomologists and Ornithologists. The fruit piercing for juice sucking and skin piercing for blood sucking behaviour of certain Ophiderinae taxa have been quoted to attract the attention of Lepidopterists in India. It has also been emphasized that the life history studies and location of the larval host plants of non-pest species are essential from the conservation point of view.