Moths of Uttar Pradesh, India (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The present manuscript deals with the first ever compilation of moths (Lepidoptera) from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, covering a total of 287 species under 204 genera representing 21 families in 12 superfamilies. This list includes 42 species recorded for the first time from the state of Uttar Pradesh: Bombycidae (1 sp.), Eupterotidae (2 spp.), Sphingidae (8 spp.), Uraniidae (1 sp.), Geometridae (9 spp.), Lasiocampidae (2 spp.), Erebidae (1 sp.), Euteliidae (1 sp.), Noctuidae (10 spp.), Nolidae (1 sp.), Notodontidae (1 sp.), Crambidae (4 spp.), and Limacodidae (1 sp.). The list of species was prepared by compiling data from published literature as well as through field sampling carried out at Aligarh District of Uttar Pradesh, and including the study of voucher specimens of 154 species. The family Erebidae was recorded as the most diverse family with 93 species, followed by Crambidae having 53 species, then Noctuidae with 41 species, while six families (Gelechiidae, Euteliidae, Pterophoridae, Thyrididae, Lyonetiidae and Zygaenidae) are each represented by only a single species. Finally, we provide a list of species historically reported from throughout India but whose presence in Uttar Pradesh requires verification.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ADDED POST-PUBLICATION

The authors would like to give special thanks to Dr. Sachin Gurule for his regular assistance and guidance in the preparation of this manuscript and for providing some of his photographs from his collections.