New name Clubiona hexadentata nom. nov. is proposed in place of the sac spider species C. serrata... more New name Clubiona hexadentata nom. nov. is proposed in place of the sac spider species C. serrata Dhali et al.
The present study unfolds the diversity of ants of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Pa... more The present study unfolds the diversity of ants of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 22 species under 13 genera distributed over 5 subfamilies could be recorded. These include three newly recorded species namely Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) (Formicinae), Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel (Myrmicinae) and Brachyponera nigrita Emery (Ponerinae) from the state and nearly 90.5% of the reported species are new for the district (marked*). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Palaearctic (72.73%), Australian (13.63%) and Ethiopian (4.54%) elements. The dominant functional group is constituted by the Subordinate Camponotini (36.37%) followed by Generalized Myrmicinae (22.73%), Tropical Climate Specialist (13.63%), Specialist Predator (9.09%), Opportunist (9.09%) and Dominant Dolichorinae (9.09%). Ants are mostly prevalent during Monsoon (81.82%), followed by Postmonsoon (68.18%) and Premonsoon (50.00%). Two species namely Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius) and Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) are recorded throughout the year. Ranking sequence of the most abundant species in descending order is: Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (15.01%) = Oecophylla smaragdina (15.01%) > Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni (12.91%). Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus and Oecophylla smaragdina are the most dominant species. Data also reveals that both core and buffer zones conjointly offer a better combination of habitat requirement, as 12 species are common in both the zones. Highest no. of species are recorded from leaf litter and ground combined together (22 species) and 6 species are arboreal in nature. Shannon's Diversity Index (α diversity) and Simpson's Diversity Index World Scientific News 120(2) (2019) 81-110-82-both are higher in buffer zone. This reflects the habitat exploitation efficiency of the encountered species. As per Jaccard Index (β diversity) the similarity value of both the zones is only 0.55.
Spider diversity was evaluated in low lying crop field of Ramakrishna Mission Asharama, Narendrap... more Spider diversity was evaluated in low lying crop field of Ramakrishna Mission Asharama, Narendrapur. The study was conducted in both organic and inorganic fields of mustard (Brasicca compestris), french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and brinjal (Solanum melongena). A total of 341 individuals belonging to 19 morphospecies under 14 genera and 7 families were recognized. Recorded spider individuals include 217 from organic field while 124 from inorganic and most being female in every crop. Among the recorded species Oxyopes shweta (50) was the most abundant. Brinjal accommodates more number of individuals/species than the rest. Organic farming is found to encourage Leucauge decorata and Pardosa songosa in mustard while Oxyopes shweta and Leucauge decorata in french bean and Neosona theisi in brinjal. Of these N. theisi, O. shweta and Telamonia dimidiata appear pesticide tolerant. Richness of spider species seems to be governed by the significant interactions between crop type and agronomic...
Taxonomy of Adoretus Dejean, 1833 fauna included within the subfamily Rutelinae recorded from Bux... more Taxonomy of Adoretus Dejean, 1833 fauna included within the subfamily Rutelinae recorded from Buxa Tiger Reserve, Dooars, West Bengal, India are dealt herewith. The generated data is the outcome of long term faunistic investigations of the authors. Each of the species is redescribed and illustrated, supplemented by digital images. A key for identification of all the species recorded from the study area along with their distribution in India is also provided.
Present study deals with the elaterid fauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. 12 species... more Present study deals with the elaterid fauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. 12 species of 8 genera belonging to 6 subfamilies of Elateridae are taxonomically evaluated. Among them, the genus Camososternus Latreille and 4 species viz. Cardiophorus bucculatus Candeze, Camososternus gigas Vats, Heteroderes sericeus Candeze and Megapenthes variabilis Vats & Chauhan are reported for the first time from the state while 7 others (marked by ●) are new from the study area.
Our study on ant diversity of Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, N-24 Parganas, West Bengal during... more Our study on ant diversity of Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, N-24 Parganas, West Bengal during the period, August 2017-July 2018, unfolded wonderful Batesian and Wasmannian mimicry (chemical mimicry) between model ants Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon) and its sibling T. allaborans (Walker), Oceophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) and salticid spiders of the genus Myrmarachne Macleay. Siblings of Myrmarachne encountered are M. plataleoides O. P. Cambridge, M. maratha Tikader and M. orientales Tikader. It is supposed that chemical or Wasmannian mimicry enables species with antlike pheromones to live in close contact with ants. The members of spider Myrmarachne that resemble the aggresive weaver ant Oceophylla smaragdina, with which they live in close contact, also show chemical resemblance. Further, by mimicking the ants they gain protection from predators. Since weaver ants have a painful bite and also taste bad, this strategy appears to be successful. Though these spiders mimic the weave...
The present study is on the spider fauna of Barasat and Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, West Benga... more The present study is on the spider fauna of Barasat and Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 23 species belonging to 20 genera and 11 families are sampled during the period August 2016 to July 2017. These include the newly recorded species, Anepsion maritatum (O.P. Cambridge) from the state. The dominant guild is constituted by the Orb web weavers (30.43%). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Australian (23%), Palaearctic (21.73%) and Ethiopian, Nearctic and Neotropical (each 17.39%) elements. Spiders are mostly prevalent during Postmonsoon (82.60%), followed by Premonsoon (60.86%) and Monsoon (47.82%) which is in conformity with the incidence of the insect species. Two species namely Eriovixia excelsa (Simon) and Leucauge decorata (Blackwall) are recorded throughout the period of survey. All the diversity indices are higher in case of Basirhat as compared to Barasat. An overall n...
The present study unfolds the diversity of click beetles of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). A total of ... more The present study unfolds the diversity of click beetles of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). A total of 34 elaterid species under 12 genera distributed over 7 subfamilies could be recorded. The forest appears to be a scaled down West Bengal as the area represents 1 /2, 1 /3 rd and 1 /5 th of the elaterid taxa (subfamilies/genera/species). Out of 34 species 13 are considered new to science, while 11 to West Bengal and 9 to Buxa Tiger Reserve. The fauna shows high degree of endemism. These beetles are mainly found during premonsoon (88.88%).The fauna is largely Oriental. Heteroderes sericeus Candeze is the most abundant species (45%), followed by Cardiophorus ferruginosus sp. nov. (15%). Seventeen species are singletons while 15 species are represented by only two to seven individuals. Find of more number of males suggests more of their response to sex pheromones and dispersal ability.
Ant-aphid mutualism is considered as a beneficial, reciprocal and myrmecophilous association. Ant... more Ant-aphid mutualism is considered as a beneficial, reciprocal and myrmecophilous association. Ants farm aphids, harvesting honeydew or flesh, in return protect the aphids from their natural foe i.e. predators and parasites and perhaps for other benefits like acceleration of aphid’s growth and reproductive rate and in the establishment of aphid colony. And finally aphid could get a pest status. Some of the aphid species are better adapted to profit from the presence of ants than others and benefits are more marked in small populations than in large ones (Saha & Raychaudhuri, 1998). Therefore, it seems essential to know about the interacting ants, their relationship with aphids in any agroecosystem for a better management strategy. The present paper attempts to document the aphids and aphidocolous ants against different host plants. Our investigation during August, 2017 – July, 2018 results a total of 40 aphid infested host plants along with 7 species of aphidocolous ants. Out of 10 a...
The present study is devoted to 32 araneid species under 14 genera recorded from the tea estates ... more The present study is devoted to 32 araneid species under 14 genera recorded from the tea estates of Dooars, West Bengal, India. Of these, Cyrtophora bituberculata is considered new to science; while Acusilas coccineus Simon, 1895 is the first record from the country. Hither to unknown male morphs of Cyclosa moonduensis Tikader, 1963 and C. simoni Tikader, 1982 are also reported. Cyclosa krusa Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 though reported from India by Saha et al., 2016, lacks detail description of the Indian representatives. All the species considered new in some way or other are described and suitably illustrated. The recorded genera and species are suitably keyed together with relevant illustrations.
Journal of entomology and zoology studies, Jul 1, 2022
One of the most striking examples of transport networks are the trail systems formed and used by ... more One of the most striking examples of transport networks are the trail systems formed and used by several species of ants. Ants forage to find food from a central nest, building a network of trails radiating out to nearby food sources and bring it back to the colony. During the entire tenure of survey 11 ant species trails are encountered in the various locations of study sites. All along, there is a physical contact between the trails of the outgoing and incoming traffics. The way to get back home, after grasping a food load (eggs, larvae, dead carcass of colony members, other invertebrates & vertebrates, sugar cube, plant leaf & seed, piece of bread, etc.) is to follow the up route. In many species such trails are chemically marked by pheromones providing orientation cues for the ants to find their way. Other species count on their faculty of sight and markers as signals. Few opportunistic species like Diacamma scalpratum (Smith), Diacamma vagans (Smith), Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon), Tetramorium christiei Forel often abscond themselves in the trail due to search of food. Often only male morphs of few spider species namely Myrmarachne melanocephala MacLeay and Myrmarachne plataleoides O.P.Cambridge are encountered within the ants' populations in the trail throughout the period of survey. Such a Batesian mimicry exhibited only by the male spiders is possibly an intrinsic escape behaviour from their female mates so as to avoid cannibalism.
The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes ... more The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes acts as a potential measure of environmental hygiene and conservational urgency. Butterflies, often threatened with risks of alteration at the landscape matrices may be chosen as bioindicator due to their well-known ecology and the existing standard tools for methodical documentations. Present study area, located in a small township at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, represents habitats with multiple vegetation profile and anthropogenic interventions. Ecological and ethological associations of two moderate to highly abundant pierids, the Whites and Yellows, to their nectar and non-nectar host plants providing nutritional, reproductive and developmental resources in these habitats are documented. Seasonal variations are considered as underlying factors shaping up the community structure. On basis of minute and detailed field observations, both species are documented to show periodic co-oc...
Developments in bioengineering natural products from insects with potential use in modern medicin... more Developments in bioengineering natural products from insects with potential use in modern medicines as well as in utilisation of insects as models for studying essential mammalian processes such as immune responses to pathogens are discussed in this review. The significant recent advances in developing insect derived natural products as potential new medicinal drugs and the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases has long been practised since the beginning of human civilization. To date, insects have been relatively neglected as sources of modern drugs although they have provided valuable natural products, including honey and silk, for at least 4-7000 years. The use of insect derived products as an alternative medicinal source is an exciting and rapidly expanding new field since insects are hugely variable and have a high biodiversity index. Insects products, such as silk and honey, have already been utilised commercially for thousands of years and extracts of in...
Nymphalids, the largest lepidopteran family, is represented by altogether 19 species (37% of the ... more Nymphalids, the largest lepidopteran family, is represented by altogether 19 species (37% of the total species abundance) from the present study site Taki, West Bengal, India, with multiple habitat profiles exposed to different anthropogenic interventions. Nymphalidae is reported to be with highest occurrence of mimicry, a naturally selected survival tool for lepidopterans. A nymphalid set, including a model [Plain Tiger: Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758)] and a mimic component [Danaid Eggfly ♀: Hypolimnus misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)] is selected for studying the specific ecological and functional correlation among them in their natural habitat. Their comparative seasonal and habitat wise distribution shows co-existence, the unpalatable model species outnumbering the mimic, the vulnerable target, corresponding to the Batesian mimicry. The wing morphology pattern is significantly shared, though the larval and adult host plants are exclusive and species specific. The year long field ob...
Coloration and mimicry are the naturally selected survival tools for lepidopterans, both in larva... more Coloration and mimicry are the naturally selected survival tools for lepidopterans, both in larval and adult life either playing the protective or aggressive or advertising or cryptic or camouflaging mechanisms. Besides being nature’s priceless artwork, butterflies are one of the most beneficial terrestrial insects, playing a major role as pollinators and an essential component of commercial agriculture, horticulture, wild plant and animal diversity. They also play role as bioindicators. The natural distribution of butterfly populations in any local habitat is primarily defined by the distribution of their nectar plants and larval host plants as there exist species specific relationships among the host and nectar plants and the dependant butterflies. Also there exist specific ecological and functional correlation among the mimetic forms (the models and mimics and the individual members of a mimicry-complex or Mullerian ring) found in any particular habitat. The present study is focu...
New name Clubiona hexadentata nom. nov. is proposed in place of the sac spider species C. serrata... more New name Clubiona hexadentata nom. nov. is proposed in place of the sac spider species C. serrata Dhali et al.
The present study unfolds the diversity of ants of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Pa... more The present study unfolds the diversity of ants of Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 22 species under 13 genera distributed over 5 subfamilies could be recorded. These include three newly recorded species namely Leisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr) (Formicinae), Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni Forel (Myrmicinae) and Brachyponera nigrita Emery (Ponerinae) from the state and nearly 90.5% of the reported species are new for the district (marked*). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Palaearctic (72.73%), Australian (13.63%) and Ethiopian (4.54%) elements. The dominant functional group is constituted by the Subordinate Camponotini (36.37%) followed by Generalized Myrmicinae (22.73%), Tropical Climate Specialist (13.63%), Specialist Predator (9.09%), Opportunist (9.09%) and Dominant Dolichorinae (9.09%). Ants are mostly prevalent during Monsoon (81.82%), followed by Postmonsoon (68.18%) and Premonsoon (50.00%). Two species namely Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius) and Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) are recorded throughout the year. Ranking sequence of the most abundant species in descending order is: Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (15.01%) = Oecophylla smaragdina (15.01%) > Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) hodgsoni (12.91%). Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus and Oecophylla smaragdina are the most dominant species. Data also reveals that both core and buffer zones conjointly offer a better combination of habitat requirement, as 12 species are common in both the zones. Highest no. of species are recorded from leaf litter and ground combined together (22 species) and 6 species are arboreal in nature. Shannon's Diversity Index (α diversity) and Simpson's Diversity Index World Scientific News 120(2) (2019) 81-110-82-both are higher in buffer zone. This reflects the habitat exploitation efficiency of the encountered species. As per Jaccard Index (β diversity) the similarity value of both the zones is only 0.55.
Spider diversity was evaluated in low lying crop field of Ramakrishna Mission Asharama, Narendrap... more Spider diversity was evaluated in low lying crop field of Ramakrishna Mission Asharama, Narendrapur. The study was conducted in both organic and inorganic fields of mustard (Brasicca compestris), french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and brinjal (Solanum melongena). A total of 341 individuals belonging to 19 morphospecies under 14 genera and 7 families were recognized. Recorded spider individuals include 217 from organic field while 124 from inorganic and most being female in every crop. Among the recorded species Oxyopes shweta (50) was the most abundant. Brinjal accommodates more number of individuals/species than the rest. Organic farming is found to encourage Leucauge decorata and Pardosa songosa in mustard while Oxyopes shweta and Leucauge decorata in french bean and Neosona theisi in brinjal. Of these N. theisi, O. shweta and Telamonia dimidiata appear pesticide tolerant. Richness of spider species seems to be governed by the significant interactions between crop type and agronomic...
Taxonomy of Adoretus Dejean, 1833 fauna included within the subfamily Rutelinae recorded from Bux... more Taxonomy of Adoretus Dejean, 1833 fauna included within the subfamily Rutelinae recorded from Buxa Tiger Reserve, Dooars, West Bengal, India are dealt herewith. The generated data is the outcome of long term faunistic investigations of the authors. Each of the species is redescribed and illustrated, supplemented by digital images. A key for identification of all the species recorded from the study area along with their distribution in India is also provided.
Present study deals with the elaterid fauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. 12 species... more Present study deals with the elaterid fauna of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. 12 species of 8 genera belonging to 6 subfamilies of Elateridae are taxonomically evaluated. Among them, the genus Camososternus Latreille and 4 species viz. Cardiophorus bucculatus Candeze, Camososternus gigas Vats, Heteroderes sericeus Candeze and Megapenthes variabilis Vats & Chauhan are reported for the first time from the state while 7 others (marked by ●) are new from the study area.
Our study on ant diversity of Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, N-24 Parganas, West Bengal during... more Our study on ant diversity of Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, N-24 Parganas, West Bengal during the period, August 2017-July 2018, unfolded wonderful Batesian and Wasmannian mimicry (chemical mimicry) between model ants Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon) and its sibling T. allaborans (Walker), Oceophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) and salticid spiders of the genus Myrmarachne Macleay. Siblings of Myrmarachne encountered are M. plataleoides O. P. Cambridge, M. maratha Tikader and M. orientales Tikader. It is supposed that chemical or Wasmannian mimicry enables species with antlike pheromones to live in close contact with ants. The members of spider Myrmarachne that resemble the aggresive weaver ant Oceophylla smaragdina, with which they live in close contact, also show chemical resemblance. Further, by mimicking the ants they gain protection from predators. Since weaver ants have a painful bite and also taste bad, this strategy appears to be successful. Though these spiders mimic the weave...
The present study is on the spider fauna of Barasat and Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, West Benga... more The present study is on the spider fauna of Barasat and Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 23 species belonging to 20 genera and 11 families are sampled during the period August 2016 to July 2017. These include the newly recorded species, Anepsion maritatum (O.P. Cambridge) from the state. The dominant guild is constituted by the Orb web weavers (30.43%). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Australian (23%), Palaearctic (21.73%) and Ethiopian, Nearctic and Neotropical (each 17.39%) elements. Spiders are mostly prevalent during Postmonsoon (82.60%), followed by Premonsoon (60.86%) and Monsoon (47.82%) which is in conformity with the incidence of the insect species. Two species namely Eriovixia excelsa (Simon) and Leucauge decorata (Blackwall) are recorded throughout the period of survey. All the diversity indices are higher in case of Basirhat as compared to Barasat. An overall n...
The present study unfolds the diversity of click beetles of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). A total of ... more The present study unfolds the diversity of click beetles of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). A total of 34 elaterid species under 12 genera distributed over 7 subfamilies could be recorded. The forest appears to be a scaled down West Bengal as the area represents 1 /2, 1 /3 rd and 1 /5 th of the elaterid taxa (subfamilies/genera/species). Out of 34 species 13 are considered new to science, while 11 to West Bengal and 9 to Buxa Tiger Reserve. The fauna shows high degree of endemism. These beetles are mainly found during premonsoon (88.88%).The fauna is largely Oriental. Heteroderes sericeus Candeze is the most abundant species (45%), followed by Cardiophorus ferruginosus sp. nov. (15%). Seventeen species are singletons while 15 species are represented by only two to seven individuals. Find of more number of males suggests more of their response to sex pheromones and dispersal ability.
Ant-aphid mutualism is considered as a beneficial, reciprocal and myrmecophilous association. Ant... more Ant-aphid mutualism is considered as a beneficial, reciprocal and myrmecophilous association. Ants farm aphids, harvesting honeydew or flesh, in return protect the aphids from their natural foe i.e. predators and parasites and perhaps for other benefits like acceleration of aphid’s growth and reproductive rate and in the establishment of aphid colony. And finally aphid could get a pest status. Some of the aphid species are better adapted to profit from the presence of ants than others and benefits are more marked in small populations than in large ones (Saha & Raychaudhuri, 1998). Therefore, it seems essential to know about the interacting ants, their relationship with aphids in any agroecosystem for a better management strategy. The present paper attempts to document the aphids and aphidocolous ants against different host plants. Our investigation during August, 2017 – July, 2018 results a total of 40 aphid infested host plants along with 7 species of aphidocolous ants. Out of 10 a...
The present study is devoted to 32 araneid species under 14 genera recorded from the tea estates ... more The present study is devoted to 32 araneid species under 14 genera recorded from the tea estates of Dooars, West Bengal, India. Of these, Cyrtophora bituberculata is considered new to science; while Acusilas coccineus Simon, 1895 is the first record from the country. Hither to unknown male morphs of Cyclosa moonduensis Tikader, 1963 and C. simoni Tikader, 1982 are also reported. Cyclosa krusa Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 though reported from India by Saha et al., 2016, lacks detail description of the Indian representatives. All the species considered new in some way or other are described and suitably illustrated. The recorded genera and species are suitably keyed together with relevant illustrations.
Journal of entomology and zoology studies, Jul 1, 2022
One of the most striking examples of transport networks are the trail systems formed and used by ... more One of the most striking examples of transport networks are the trail systems formed and used by several species of ants. Ants forage to find food from a central nest, building a network of trails radiating out to nearby food sources and bring it back to the colony. During the entire tenure of survey 11 ant species trails are encountered in the various locations of study sites. All along, there is a physical contact between the trails of the outgoing and incoming traffics. The way to get back home, after grasping a food load (eggs, larvae, dead carcass of colony members, other invertebrates & vertebrates, sugar cube, plant leaf & seed, piece of bread, etc.) is to follow the up route. In many species such trails are chemically marked by pheromones providing orientation cues for the ants to find their way. Other species count on their faculty of sight and markers as signals. Few opportunistic species like Diacamma scalpratum (Smith), Diacamma vagans (Smith), Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon), Tetramorium christiei Forel often abscond themselves in the trail due to search of food. Often only male morphs of few spider species namely Myrmarachne melanocephala MacLeay and Myrmarachne plataleoides O.P.Cambridge are encountered within the ants' populations in the trail throughout the period of survey. Such a Batesian mimicry exhibited only by the male spiders is possibly an intrinsic escape behaviour from their female mates so as to avoid cannibalism.
The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes ... more The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes acts as a potential measure of environmental hygiene and conservational urgency. Butterflies, often threatened with risks of alteration at the landscape matrices may be chosen as bioindicator due to their well-known ecology and the existing standard tools for methodical documentations. Present study area, located in a small township at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, represents habitats with multiple vegetation profile and anthropogenic interventions. Ecological and ethological associations of two moderate to highly abundant pierids, the Whites and Yellows, to their nectar and non-nectar host plants providing nutritional, reproductive and developmental resources in these habitats are documented. Seasonal variations are considered as underlying factors shaping up the community structure. On basis of minute and detailed field observations, both species are documented to show periodic co-oc...
Developments in bioengineering natural products from insects with potential use in modern medicin... more Developments in bioengineering natural products from insects with potential use in modern medicines as well as in utilisation of insects as models for studying essential mammalian processes such as immune responses to pathogens are discussed in this review. The significant recent advances in developing insect derived natural products as potential new medicinal drugs and the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases has long been practised since the beginning of human civilization. To date, insects have been relatively neglected as sources of modern drugs although they have provided valuable natural products, including honey and silk, for at least 4-7000 years. The use of insect derived products as an alternative medicinal source is an exciting and rapidly expanding new field since insects are hugely variable and have a high biodiversity index. Insects products, such as silk and honey, have already been utilised commercially for thousands of years and extracts of in...
Nymphalids, the largest lepidopteran family, is represented by altogether 19 species (37% of the ... more Nymphalids, the largest lepidopteran family, is represented by altogether 19 species (37% of the total species abundance) from the present study site Taki, West Bengal, India, with multiple habitat profiles exposed to different anthropogenic interventions. Nymphalidae is reported to be with highest occurrence of mimicry, a naturally selected survival tool for lepidopterans. A nymphalid set, including a model [Plain Tiger: Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758)] and a mimic component [Danaid Eggfly ♀: Hypolimnus misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)] is selected for studying the specific ecological and functional correlation among them in their natural habitat. Their comparative seasonal and habitat wise distribution shows co-existence, the unpalatable model species outnumbering the mimic, the vulnerable target, corresponding to the Batesian mimicry. The wing morphology pattern is significantly shared, though the larval and adult host plants are exclusive and species specific. The year long field ob...
Coloration and mimicry are the naturally selected survival tools for lepidopterans, both in larva... more Coloration and mimicry are the naturally selected survival tools for lepidopterans, both in larval and adult life either playing the protective or aggressive or advertising or cryptic or camouflaging mechanisms. Besides being nature’s priceless artwork, butterflies are one of the most beneficial terrestrial insects, playing a major role as pollinators and an essential component of commercial agriculture, horticulture, wild plant and animal diversity. They also play role as bioindicators. The natural distribution of butterfly populations in any local habitat is primarily defined by the distribution of their nectar plants and larval host plants as there exist species specific relationships among the host and nectar plants and the dependant butterflies. Also there exist specific ecological and functional correlation among the mimetic forms (the models and mimics and the individual members of a mimicry-complex or Mullerian ring) found in any particular habitat. The present study is focu...
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