Diversity of Moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in the Agricultural Crop, Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) of Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh, Central India
Sanjay Paunikar *
Zoological Survey of India, Central Zone Regional Centre, Plot No. 168/169, Scheme No. 05 SBI, Square, Vijay Nagar, Jabalpur-482 002 (M.P.), India.
Ramakrisnan
Department of Entomology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur (M.P.), India.
A. K. Sharma
Department of Entomology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur (M.P.), India.
Akhil Nair
Zoological Survey of India, Central Zone Regional Centre, Plot No. 168/169, Scheme No. 05 SBI, Square, Vijay Nagar, Jabalpur-482 002 (M.P.), India.
B. K. Das
Department of Entomology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur (M.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Moth is one of the most important insects of Class Insecta under order Lepidoptera and share with beautiful butterflies. The study of moths is important as they are significant part of the ecosystem as prey, pollinator and pests of various plant crops. Moths diversity was conducted at agricultural field on the chickpea crops of Jabalpur region of Madhya Pradesh, Central India from month of June 2024 to May 2025. The main aim of study to acquire the detail information of moth diversity found in agricultural field of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV). During the study period, a total 178 specimen’s moths were observed and collected by using mercury light traps (160 W).
The study revealed that 68 species of moth belonging to 48 genera, 10 families under 7 superfamily were recorded throughout the study period. Based on number of super families Noctuoidea was dominant with 38 species followed Pyraloidea with 16 species, Bombycoidea 6 species, Geometroidea 4 species and Euteliidae, Hyblaeoidea, Lasiocampoidea and Thyridoidea with one species each. The highest species was represented by family Erebidae (23 species), Crambidae (14 species), followed by families Noctuidae (13 species), Sphingidae (6 species), Geometridae (5 species) and families Euteliidae, Hyblaeidae, Lasiocampidae Nolidiae and Thyradidae represented by one species each. This study thereby offers baseline data for future studies on moth fauna associated with other agricultural crops.
Keywords: Lepidoptera, moth, diversity, light trap, chickpea, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh