Moths (Lepidoptera) of A.V.C College and adjoining areas, Mannampandal: An Initial Checklist

Subhasish Arandhara

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2016

Moths (Lepidoptera) of A.V.C College and adjoining areas, Mannampandal: An Initial Checklist

Subhasish Arandhara

Abstract :

Moths are diverse group of insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera and regarded as one of the indicators of a healthy environment. This study deals with the first documentation on the moth species of A.V.C. College campus and its adjoining areas of Mannampandal in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. The study was carried out from July 2015 to April 2016, surveying areas mostly in the college campus, human settlements and agricultural lands. The survey examined the light illuminated walls of the College campus where moths accumulated during the evening hours. Light trapping equipped with 18w UV-Actinic tube was also used to record moths from nearby agricultural lands. In total, the study identified 134 individuals of moths belonging to 76 species, 55 genera falling under 12 families. The genera Cyana represented the highest number of species, followed by Agathia and Asota with 7, 4 and 4 species each respectively belonging to Erebidae: Lithosiinae, Geometridae: Geometrinae, Erebidae: Aganainae (Family: Subfamily) respectively. The most commonly occurred species was Scirpophaga incertulas, followed by Aegocera venulia, Glyphodes bivatralis, with 20, 14 and 11 individuals respectively.