Taxonomic Studies on the Tribe- Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Kashmir Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT

Aims: Taxonomy refers to assignment of name to an organism which provides the only key to all the information available about that species and its relatives. Careful and accurate identification and classification of organisms are of vital importance so that the extents of their harmful and beneficial properties are established. Since some of the members of tribe Archipini are pests of various crops, so this study was conducted with the aim to identify, describe, name and classify these species and also prepare illustrated diagnostic keys for their quick and authentic identification and efficient management. Study Design: Taxonomy of tribe Archipini. Place and Duration of Study The collection of these tortricid moth specimens was done in districts Anantnag, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kargil and Leh of J&K State during 2010-2012, while as their processing was performed during 2014 in Biosystematics Laboratory, Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar- 190 025. Methodology: For this study, intensive and extensive collection-cum-survey tours were conducted to capture tortricid moth species from far-flung localities of different areas of Kashmir and Ladakh from March 2010 to November 2012. Since these moths being nocturnal in behaviour, their collection was done during night with the help of portable bucket type light traps fitted with 125 W mercury vapour lamp and mercury vapour lamp hung along a white cloth sheet secured to a wall or directly over a plain white wall to protect wings and scales from damage due to overcrowding during trapping in bucket of light trap. These specimens after collection from field were processed in laboratory. For preparation of permanent slides for wing venation, method proposed by Common (1970) and advocated by Zimmerman (1978) was followed, while as for studying male and female genitalia, the method suggested by Robinson (1976) was followed with slight modification. Results: Twelve Tortricid moth species belonging to six genera viz., Choristoneura Lederer, Archips Hubner, Pandemis Hubner, Clepsis Guenee, Neocalyptis Diakonoff and Homona Walker of tribe Archipini and sub-family Tortricinae were collected from Kashmir Himalaya and dealt with taxonomically. Overall, two species viz., Choristoneura pseudofumiferana and Clepsis kupwari are being reported as new to science. Besides, giving an illustrated account of new species, the taxonomic account of already known species has also been added to improve their diagnosis. Further, key to the presently examined species of all genera has been prepared on the basis of characters such as labial palpi, antennae, costal fold, anal fold, wing venation and male and female genitalic characteristics. Conclusion: In the Kashmir and Ladakh Himalayan region (North-west) of J & K state of India twelve species belonging to six genera viz., Choristoneura Lederer, Archips Hubner, Pandemis Hubner, Clepsis Guenee, Neocalyptis Diakonoff and Homona Walker of tribe Archipini have been collected during present investigation, out of which two species viz., Choristoneura pseudofumiferana and Clepsis kupwari are being reported as new to science. Further the reporting of two new species increased the number of species under genus Choristoneura Lederer from four to five and genus Clepsis Guenee from two to three in Kashmir zone of Jammu & Kashmir.