Family Erebidae Research Articles

Diversity of moths from the urban set-up of Valmiki Nagar, Chennai, India

A study was conducted at Valmiki Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to explore its moth diversity from December 2018 to May 2021. This manuscript presents a partial checklist of moths from Valmiki Nagar. Four locations around the colony were studied to record the moth fauna. The study sites were surveyed twice a month using a mercury vapour lamp along with a white sheet, along with over 100 visits at night. Diurnal surveys were conducted bimonthly to observe larval host plants and day flying moths. A total of 135 species were recorded from the study area, belonging to nine superfamilies. The most diverse family of moths recorded was family Erebidae, with 39% of moths recorded in the study belonging to this family, followed by Crambidae (30%), Geometridae (8%), and other families constituting the rest. The moth diversity in the month of July was seen to be the highest. Along with this study, future studies on similar lines will help in documenting the moth diversity of Chennai.

Moth (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) diversity of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India: a preliminary study

A preliminary checklist has been compiled to study the moth diversity of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, an eastern state of India. The present study has recorded a total of 154 species belonging to 129 genera and 19 families. The highest diversity of moths was recorded in the family Crambidae (48 species, 38 genera), followed by the families Erebidae (42 species, 37 genera), Geometridae (15 species, 12 genera), Noctuidae (13 species, 11 genera) and others. The study was conducted over a period of 18 months from May 2019 to October 2020. Here we present an illustrated checklist of 154 moth species from Bhubaneswar which improves our insight into the lesser-known lepidopterans from the state of Odisha. This shall further help us strengthen our knowledge about the importance of moths in our environment and contribute towards its conservation at large.

Insect Herbivores of Ferns along the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America

Fifteen species of insect herbivores were discovered on ferns growing along the Pacific northwest coast of North America. These included insects from the orders: Diptera in the families Anthomyiidae, Cecidiomyiidae and Syrphidae: Lepidoptera in the families Erebidae, Tortricidae and Noctuidae: Hymenoptera in the family Tenthredinidae: Hemiptera in the family Aphididae and Coleoptera in the family Curculionidae. The present study illustrates these associations that provides new world and North American host records of fern herbivores. The fossil record of these families is used to determine if the most ancient of these insects (dating from the Mesozoic) are now mostly restricted to ferns and the most recent ones (dating from the Cenozoic) are mostly polyphagous, feeding on ferns as well as various angiosperms. Results indicate that the insect clades belonging to the most ancient families, such as Aneugmenuss and Strongylogaster in the Tenthredinidae and Dasineura and Mycodiplosis in the Cecidiomyiidae, appear to be monophagous on ferns.

Moth (Insecta: Lepidoptera) fauna of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India

Survey to assess moth diversity was carried out in Sariska Tiger Reserve of Rajasthan in 2019 from June to November. Total 16 species were recorded under 15 genera, belonging to 5 families for the first time from Sariska Tiger Reserve. Of these, 12 species viz. Eudocima materna Linnaeus, 1767; Eudocima phalonia Linnaeus, 1763; Dysgonia stuposa (Fabricius, 1794); Euproctis divisia Walker, 1855; Achaea janata Linnaeus, 1758; Acherontia styx Westwood, 1847; Daphnis nerii Linnaeus, 1758; Hippotion rosetta (Swinhoe, 1892); Agrius convolvuli Linnaeus, 1758; Nephele hespera Fabricius, 1775; Theretra oldenlandiae (Fabricius, 1775); Caligula lindia Moore, 1865 were first time reports from the state. Moth species were collected with the help of a light sheet system operated every night from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Ethyl acetate fumes were used to kill collected speciemens and processed as per standard strategies in Lepidopterology. The identification of moths was carried out with the help of identification keys, standard reference keys. Family Erebidae and Sphingidae are represented by six species each, followed by Saturniidae represented by two species, Noctuidae and Crambidae represented by one species each. This study will improve our understanding of Sariska’s biodiversity and be used to develop strategies for the conservation of moth diversity.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), novel gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationship within the superfamily Noctuoidea.

The species Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777) commonly known as the fruit-piercing moth belongs to family Erebidae. Its distribution varies from India and across South-east Asia, pacific islands and parts of Australia. The insect is a devastating pest of citrus, longans and lychees. In the present study, complete mitochondrial genome of Eudocima salaminia was sequenced and analyzed using Illumina sequencer. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method-General Reversible mitochondrial (mtREV) model. The mitogenome has 15,597 base pairs (bp) in length, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and A + T-rich region. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with canonical start codon ATN. The gene order (trnQ-trnI-trnM) of tRNA shows a different rearrangement compared to ancestral insect gene order (trnI-trnQ-trnM). Almost all tRNAs have a typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnS1 (AGN) which lacks the dihydrouridine arm. At the beginning of the control region, we observed a conserved polyT", motif "ATTTA" and microsatellite (TA)n element. There are 21 intergenic regions and five overlapping regions ranging from 1 to 73bp and 1 to 8bp, respectively. The phylogenetic relationships based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Maximum likelihood method showed the family level relationships as (Notodontidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + (Erebidae + Nolidae))). The present study represents the similarity to phylogenetic analysis of Noctuoidea mitogenome. Moreover, the family Erebidae is the sister to the families of (Euteliidae + Noctuidae + Nolidae).

New for the Russian fauna species of the families Erebidae and Noctuidae (Lepidoptera)

Three noctuid species are found in Russia for the first time, of them two species, Bertula spacoalis (Walker, 1859) (Erebidae) and Euplexidia angusta Yoshimoto, 1987 (Noctuidae), are new for Primorskii krai, and Orthosia aoyamensis (Matsumura, 1926) (Noctuidae) – for Sakhalin Island.

A new species of larval Achaemenothrombium (Prostigmata: Achaemenothrombiidae) from Iran with new host records

ABSTRACT The larval species of the family Achaemenothrombiidae have been described only from Iran and they are known as parasites of Lepidoptera (Noctuidae) and Orthoptera (Acrididae). Achaemenothrombium saboorii Noei sp. nov. (Trombidiformes: Trombidioidea: Achaemenothrombiidae) is described and illustrated. The families Crambidae, Erebidae, Geometridae (Lepidoptera), and Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) are recorded as hosts of Achaemenothrombium larvae for the first time from South Khorasan province, Iran. Also, the generic diagnosis of the genus Achaemenothrombium is amended and a key to larvae is updated. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3EE25E02-44B6-4286-97B8-D2FB74591373

Diversity of Moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) in Sringeri Taluk, Western Ghats, Karnataka

The systematic survey was conducted during the month June to August in and around Sringeri taluk, Chickkamagalure district in the year 2020. During study we recorded 33species belongs to 30 genera and13 families. Out of 11 recorded families of moth, family Erebidae was dominated which was followed by Geometridae, Crambidae, Saturnidae Sphingidae and only one species were recorded from, Elachistidae, Pyralidae Zygenidae, Lasiocaampidae, Cossidae, Eupterotinae.

A preliminary checklist of moths (insect : lepidoptera) of Karanja (Ghadge), District Wardha (Maharashtra) India

Diversity of moth species (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) was studied in the Karanja (Ghadge), District Wardha of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. A total 64 species of moths belonging to 14 families and 31 subfamilies were recorded from different sites. Family Erebidae (22 species) was found to be dominating taxon, followed by Geometridae (11 species), Cambridae (10 species) Noctuidae (07 species), Sphingidae (4 Species), Cossidae (3 Species) and 1 species each from family Eupterotidae, Pterophoridae, Saturnidae, Uranidae, Bombycidae,Lasiocampidae and Scythrididae was reported first time.

A HASTY SURVEY ON DIVERSITY OF MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA : HETEROCERA) FROM AHMEDNAGAR COLLEGE CAMPUS, AHMEDNAGAR (MAHARASHTRA) INDIA

A hasty survey to assess diversity of moths has been conducted at Ahmednagar College campus. A total of 34 species of moths belonging to 07 families and 15 subfamilies have been presented in this report. Of the total specimens, 26 moths were identified at specific level and remaining were given morpho-species label. Family Erebidae and Geometridae dominated in the study area, followed by Sphingidae, Noctuidae, Crambidae, Eupterotidae, and minimum number of species were noted from family Notodontidae. The present work is a minor investigation, but it may serve to contribute to the database for generating larger regional inventory on moth diversity.

A preliminary study and new distributional records of family Erebidae (Leach, [1815]) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

In the present study, we have documented 59 species representing 43 genera of moths under family Erebidae (Leach, [1815]) from Aligarh district, the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The documented species represents 10 subfamilies of family Erebidae viz., Aganainae (5 species), Arctiinae (10 species), Calpinae (5 species), Ctenuchinae (3 species), Erebinae (22 species), Eulepidotinae (1 species), Hypocalinae (2 species), Lymantriinae (8 species), Pangraptinae (1 species), and Scoliopteryginae (1 species). Out of these 59 species, Sixteen species viz. are Asota plana Walker, 1854; Asota producta (Butler, 1875); Argina astrea (Drury, 1773); Olepa koslandana Orhant, 1986; Utetheisa pulchelloides Hampson, 1907; Eudocima homaena (Hübner, [1823]); Amata cysseus (Stoll, [1782]); Eressa confinis (Walker, 1854); Ophiusa tirhaca (Cramer, 1777); Pericyma cruegeri (Butler, 1886); Anticarsia irrorata (Fabricius, 1781); Hypocala deflorata (Fabricius, 1794); Hypocala violacea Butler, 1879; Cyana puella (Drury, 1773); Lymantria mathura Moore, [1866] and Episparis liturata (Fabricius, 1787) are recorded for the first time from Aligarh district, which also represents their first record from the present state of Uttar Pradesh.

Introduction pages

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 4, Volume 12, 2020: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting researches or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: The influence of human chorionic gonadotropin on hormonal and haematological profile of postpubertal male albino rats exposed to chronic oral administration of alcohol; Phylogenetic observation in Ariidae, Bagridae and Plotosidae catfishes by COI gene sequence analysis; A preliminary study and new distributional records of family Erebidae (Leach, [1815]) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India; Evaluation of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. (R. Br.)) landraces for resistance to stem borer (Coniesta ignefusalis Hampson.) infestation; Photochemical responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants to heat stress; Vegetative propagation of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) selections; Effect of pre-storage hot air and hot water treatments on post-harvest quality of mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) fruit; Effect of snowmelt regime on phenology of herbaceous species at and around treeline in Western Himalaya, India etc.

A new species of Zanclognatha Lederer and three new records of the families Erebidae and Noctuidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea) from Korea, with notes on larval feeding habits

A new species of Zanclognatha Lederer, 1857 of the family Erebidae, Z. querciella sp.n., one species of Family Erebidea, Asota egens (Walker, 1854) and two species of Family Noctuidae: Meganephria retinea Gyulai and Ronkay, 1999 and Amphipyra subrigua Bremer and Grey, 1853, are reported for the first time from Korea. In addition, larval feeding habits with their host plants for three species are newly recognized from Korea. Illustration of adults, larvae for Zanclognatha querciella and Meganephria retinea, and the genitalia of male or female for all species are provided.

Lemyra persephone, a new autumnal species from Yunnan, southwestern China(Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae).

The genus Lemyra Walker, 1856 belongs to the tribe Arctiini of the subfamily Arctiinae Leach, 1815 (family Erebidae Leach, 1815). The genus was reviewed by Thomas (1990). Since then, a number of new species was described by various authors (Fang 1993; Inoue 1993; Tshistjakov Kishida 1994; Kirti Gill 2008; Černý 2011; 2014; Černy Pinratana 2009; Dubatolov 2007; 2010; Kirti Singh 2016; Saldaitis et al. 2018; 2019).

Four Species of the Family Erebidae (Lepidoptera), New to Korea

Four Species of the Family Erebidae (Lepidoptera), New to Korea

Cytogenetic markers applied to cytotaxonomy in two soybean pests: Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner, 1818) and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, 1858).

Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner, 1818) and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, 1858) are species of Lepidoptera that cause great damages in the soybean plantations of Brazil. Despite the importance they have in this regard, there are no studies on the chromosomal organization of these species and recently, A. gemmatalis, which belonged to the Noctuidae family, was allocated to the Erebidae family. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to analyze, through conventional and molecular cytogenetic markers, both species of Lepidoptera. A 2n = 62 was observed, with ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system and holokinetic chromosomes for both species. There was homogeneity in the number of 18S rDNA sites for both species. However, variations in heterochromatin distribution were observed between both species. The cytogenetic analyses enabled separation of the species, corroborating the transference of A. gemmatalis, from the family Noctuidae to the family Erebidae, suggesting new cytotaxonomic characteristics.

Miltochrista nigrococcinea, a new species from Vietnam (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae).

Miltochrista Hübner is one of the largest genera of lichen-moths (family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini) including more than 160 valid species and widely distributed in Oriental and Palaearctic Regions. The genera Miltochrista and the related Asura Walker for a long time were treated in a wide sense. Hampson (1900) considered the generic names Barsine Walker, Ammatho Walker, Sesapa Walker, Cabarda Walker, Mahavira Moore, Korawa Moore and Gurna Swinhoe as synonyms of Miltochrista, and genera such as Lyclene Moore, Nepita Moore, Cyme Felder and Adites Moore under Asura. Holloway (2001) revived the genera Barsine (=Ammatho, Mahavira and Korawa), Cabarda, Lyclene, Nepita, Cyme and Adiles and transferred most of species of Miltochrista to Barsine and Cabarda, and most of species of Asura to Lyclene, Adiles, Cyme and Nepita. Later, the genera Gurna and Sesapa were also revalidated by Volynkin (2016; 2017a). According to Holloway (2001) the main differences between Miltochrista and Lyclene are wing venation and number of cornuti. However, these features may vary within the genus, while the ground plan of clasping apparatuses of the two taxa is the same. For this reason, Kirti Singh (2016) synonymized Lyclene with Miltochrista. Volynkin et al. (2018) confirmed this synonymy and considered Miltochrista sensu Holloway (2001) as the M. miniata (Forster) species-group only.

Barsine wangi, a new species from Guangdong, southern China (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae).

Barsine Walker, 1854 is a large genus of lichen moths (family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini) including about a hundred of valid species and widespread in Oriental tropics, mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and the southern part of the Russian Far East. During the studies of Lithosiini materials recently collected in the Chinese Province of Guangdong, we found one more, yet undescribed Barsine species. It is related to the recently described B. cacharensis Singh Kirti, 2016 by the male and female genitalia structure, but externally it is more similar to B. defecta Walker, 1854 and B. gratissima (de Joannis, 1930). The species is described below as new.

Preliminary checklist of moths (Lepidoptera: Glossata) of Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu

The present research was carried out to document the moth fauna of Annamalai Nagar during December, 2015 to November, 2016 comprising four seasons for a period of one year, from agriculture and horticulture ecosystems using light traps and host rearing methods. The sheet method was used to record moth insects individually without any damage. Any moths that alight on the screen were recorded in jars just after sunset between 18.00 – 23.00 hr. A total of 2,679 moths were recorded using all the three types of methods employed in the study. Out of which, light trap was found with maximum of 2,253 moths followed by manual collection (369) and host rearing (57) from four different sites of observation. Among the sites, light trapping of moths were observed maximum (656) in Orchard followed by Experimental farm with 629 numbers. The diversity of moths was observed in the study area of Annamalai Nagar indicated the presence of 70 genera and 56 species identified under nine superfamilies of Clades viz., Obtectomera (Pyraloidea and Thyridoidea) Macroheterocera (Noctuoidea, Bombycoidea, Geometroidea, Lasiocampoidea) Apoditrysia (Pterophoroidea and Cossoidea) Ditrysia (Tineoidea). The families namely Crambidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae, Sphingidae, Bombycidae, Uraniidae, Thyrididae, Eupterotidae, Geometridae, Pterophoridae, Lasiocampidae, Cossidae and Psychidae were observed in the study area. Out of which, the family Erebidae alone had 28 genera and 25 species and found to be the superior family. From the results, it was clear that light trapping was superior in collection of moths during night times.

Two new 'Asura-like' Cyana Walker, 1854 from Africa (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae).

Cyana Walker, 1854 is one of the most species-rich genera within the tribe Lithosiini Billberg of the subfamily Arctiinae Leach, family Erebidae Leach. The genus is widely distributed in tropics of Africa and Madagascar, south of the Arabian Peninsula, South and East Asia (including Russian Far East, Korean Peninsula and Japan), New Guinea and Australia. The African fauna was recently revised by Karisch (2013). In his revision, Karish offered a subdivision of the genus into 24 subgenera based on the differences in venation, configuration of androconial forewing lobes in males, pattern and genitalia structure.