This document provides information on moth diversity in North Bengal, India. It discusses that Lepidoptera is the second largest order of insects, with over 1,74,250 recorded species worldwide. In India, there are an estimated 12,000 moth species, with over 1,058 species documented in West Bengal. Several moth species found in North Bengal are described, including their host plants and classification. The document aims to showcase the diversity of moth species present in the region.
2. Moth diversity at a glance
More than half ( above 65 % ) of the world ̓s known animal
species are insects (Wilson, 1992) in which Lepidoptera
is the second largest and the most diverse order of the
class Insecta (Benton, 1995).
Lepidoptera being a second largest order of class Insecta having
about 47 Super Families.
The present total number of recorded Lepidopteran species
approaches nearly 1,74,250,
Butterflies and Skippers are estimated around 17,950 and
Moths are making up 1,56,300 (Mallet, 2007).
3. Moth diversity Moth in West Bengal, India
In India, estimated moth species were 11,300 according to
Peter Smetacek (2011), It should be now nearly 12,000.
In West Bengal, documented moth species is over 1058,
belonging to 38 families and 83 sub families and 614 genera.
In West Bengal, family Geometridae includes maximum
number (342 species) followed by Erebidae (212 species),
Crambidae (169 species), Sphingidae (88 species), Pyralidae
(46 species), Zygaenidae (36 species), Noctuidae (34 species),
Lasiocampidae (25 species), Saturniidae (20 species) and
Tortricidae (13 species). The rest of the families are
represented by less than ten species.
5. Cream Spot Tiger Moth, Arctia villica, L. 1758
Bengali name : Chita moth
This moth is rare and feed on
blackberries (Rubus species), strawberries
(Fragaria species) and few other plants in this
area .
CB/ Mo I 237
Super Family : Noctoidea
Family : Erebidae
Subfamily : Arctinae
7. Creatonotos transiens, (Walker, 1855)
Bengali Name : Sada matha moth
Super Family : Noctoidea
Family : Erebidae
Sub Family : Arctiinae
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants, including Zea, Toona
etc . The larvae are light brown, with a very pale yellow dorsal
stripe
CB/ Mo I 234
9. Hairy Caterpillar, Dasychira mendosa (Hubner 1823)
Bengali name : Alou suyo
Super Family : Noctoidea
Family : Erebidae
Sub Family : Noctuidnae
Its caterpillar is a polyphagous pest that feeds on potato, coffee, red
gram, castor, cauliflower, and many other plant species.
CB/ Mo I 232
10. Brinjal Leaf Roller, Antoba (Eublema) olivaceae (Walker 1858)
Bengali Name : Beguner patamora poka
Super Family : Noctoidea
Family : Erebidae
Sub Family : Noctuidnae
Brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn.) is infested by
Leaf folder caterpillar of Antoba (Eublemma) olivacea
Walker in this area.
CB/ Mo I 231
13. Erebus have been recorded to utilise Smilax
vines as their larval hostplant.
CB/ Mo I 230
Owl Moth, Erebus macrops (Linn. 1768)
Bengali name : Pecha moth
Super Family : Noctoidea
Family : Erebidae
Sub Family : Erebinae
16. Angoumois Grain Moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver)
Bengali Name : Dhan poka Super
Family : Super : Galechoidea
Family : Gelechidae
Sub Family : Pexicopinae
It is very common stored pest of rice in India.
It also damage stored wheat, maize and other
cereals.
CB/ Mo/ I 220
18. Brinjal Stem Borer: Euzophera perticella Regonot
Bengali Name : Beguner kando chidrakari poka
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Phycitidae
It is occasional pest of brinjal in this area. Its caterpillar
feed on other host namely chilli, tomato, potato also.
CB/ Mo I 226
22. Castor Slug Caterpillar, Latola lepida (Cramer in 1799)
Bengali Name : Rerir sabuj samuk
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Limacodidae
Its caterpillars are important pest of castor. It also damage
pomegranate, palm, rose, wood apple, mango, cocoa, coffee,
banana, tea etc.
CB/ Mo I 211
