ABSTRACT: Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb. nov. is reassigned and notes on host-par... more ABSTRACT: Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb. nov. is reassigned and notes on host-parasitoid interactions are provided. The extended host range of the genus Glyptapanteles includes four families— Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, Arctiidae and Noctuidae from India. Five braconid parasitoids viz., Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb, nov., Apanteles folia Nixon, Apanteles javensis Rohwer, Apanteles phycodis Viereck and Apanteles machaeralis Wilkinson are documented with diagnostic details including illustrations of various life stages of the unparasitized host. Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a solitary endoparasitoid, is reported for the first time as a host of A. folia. Both wasps, G. aristolochiae parasitizing larva of Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) and A. javensis parasitic on larva of Pelopidas conjuncta (Herrich-Schaffer) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), exhibit a gregarious habit. For all the species, information on parasitoid distribution, brief diagnosis with illustrations, host association, host caterpillar, and caterpillar host plant are provided for easy identification. Also host specificity of Glyptapanteles species is discussed in context with an extensive literature review of host records from India.
Lycaenidae parasitoids from peninsular India with description of four new species of microgastrin... more Lycaenidae parasitoids from peninsular India with description of four new species of microgastrine wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) along with new insights on host relationships
Tarucus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a group of Afro-Oriental butterflies, with the Indian Subcon... more Tarucus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a group of Afro-Oriental butterflies, with the Indian Subcontinent being one of its centers of diversity with eight species. In this study, we provide a taxonomic and nomenclatural review of these species based on morphology (male genitalia) and type specimens, and designate lectotypes in the Natural History Museum, London, and the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, for the following names: Tarucus callinara nigra Bethune-Baker, [1918], Tarucus callinara Butler, 1886, Tarucus venosus hazara Evans, 1932, Tarucus venosus Moore, 1882, Tarucus alteratus Moore, 1882, Tarucus extricatus Butler, 1886, Tarucus bengalensis Bethune-Baker, [1918], Tarucus theophrastus indica Evans, 1932, Castalius ananda de Niceville, [1884], Tarucus dharta Bethune-Baker, [1918]. We also describe previously unrecognized variation within Tarucus balkanica nigra that has caused confusion in the past. We then discuss aspects of their natural history and spatio-temporal distr...
We present a systematic, updated checklist of larval host plants of the butterflies of the Wester... more We present a systematic, updated checklist of larval host plants of the butterflies of the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. This includes recent new records, with a total of approximately 834 plant species/groups belonging to 88 families that are used by 320 butterfly species of the Western Ghats (the host plant records for 16 species are unknown). A reverse list is also provided as a reference to plant species-wise plant-butterfly associations. This work highlights the diversity of plant species on which the endemic and other butterfly species of the Western Ghats depend.
In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae... more In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae were parasitized by ten species of wasps. Four new taxa of lycaenid associated microgastrine wasps Parapanteles eros Gupta n. sp., P. arka Gupta n. sp., P. esha Gupta n. sp., and P. regale Gupta n. sp. reared from Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), respectively, are described with diagnostic details and illustrations along with documentation of six species of wasps viz., Apanteles folia, Apanteles sp., Protapanteles sp. 01 & 02 (Braconidae), Charops obtusus obtusus Morley (Ichneumonidae), and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Chalcididae). This is the first record of host-parasitoid association of lycaenid butterflies with Parapanteles. Wasps from three different families were recorded: Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcididae. The parasitoid species were reared from the following Lycaenidae hosts: Anthene lycaenina (Felder), Arhopala amantes Hewitson, Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Jamides celeno (Cramer), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Rathinda amor (Fabricius), Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), Tarucus balkanicus nigra Bethune-Baker, and Tarucus callinara Butler. All lycaenids were collected from peninsular India, except T. callinara (central India). A comparative account of all newly described species is provided along with the detailed illustrated description and differences vis-à-vis its closely allied Indian species. Also a comprehensive table comprising parasitoid species, associated host, stage of parasitism, and nature of cocoon is provided.
A new species of gregarious endoparasitoid, Parapanteles echeriae Gupta, Pereira & Churi, sp. nov... more A new species of gregarious endoparasitoid, Parapanteles echeriae Gupta, Pereira & Churi, sp. nov., bred from Abisara echeria Stoll (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) on host plant Embelia sp. (Myrsinaceae), is described and illustrated from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Abisara echeria, commonly known as plum judy, is a small striking butterfly prevalent in Asia. This is the first ever record of a parasitic wasp associated with Abisara. Parapanteles echeriae is distinguished from P. sireeshaae Ahmad & Akhtar in having propodeum with areola 1.2x as long as wide; anterior diagonal carina meeting anterior margin of propodeum in one half; veins r and 2RS of fore wing merging in a smooth curve; yellow coloured legs and tegulae brownish black. A key to the Indian species of Parapanteles is also provided.
In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae... more In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae were parasitized by ten species of wasps. Four new taxa of lycaenid associated microgastrine wasps Parapanteles eros Gupta n. sp., P. arka Gupta n. sp., P. esha Gupta n. sp., and P. regale Gupta n. sp. reared from Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), respectively, are described with diagnostic details and illustrations along with documentation of six species of wasps viz., Apanteles folia, Apanteles sp., Protapanteles sp. 01 & 02 (Braconidae), Charops obtusus obtusus Morley (Ichneumonidae), and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Chalcididae). This is the first record of host-parasitoid association of lycaenid butterflies with Parapanteles. Wasps from three different families were recorded: Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcididae. The parasitoid species were reared from the following Lycaenidae hosts: Anthene lycaenina (Felder), Arhopala amantes Hewitson, Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Jamides celeno (Cramer), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Rathinda amor (Fabricius), Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), Tarucus balkanicus nigra Bethune-Baker, and Tarucus callinara Butler. All lycaenids were collected from peninsular India, except T. callinara (central India). A comparative account of all newly described species is provided along with the detailed illustrated description and differences vis-à-vis its closely allied Indian species. Also a comprehensive table comprising parasitoid species, associated host, stage of parasitism, and nature of cocoon is provided.
ABSTRACT: Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb. nov. is reassigned and notes on host-par... more ABSTRACT: Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb. nov. is reassigned and notes on host-parasitoid interactions are provided. The extended host range of the genus Glyptapanteles includes four families— Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, Arctiidae and Noctuidae from India. Five braconid parasitoids viz., Glyptapanteles aristolochiae (Wilkinson) comb, nov., Apanteles folia Nixon, Apanteles javensis Rohwer, Apanteles phycodis Viereck and Apanteles machaeralis Wilkinson are documented with diagnostic details including illustrations of various life stages of the unparasitized host. Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a solitary endoparasitoid, is reported for the first time as a host of A. folia. Both wasps, G. aristolochiae parasitizing larva of Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) and A. javensis parasitic on larva of Pelopidas conjuncta (Herrich-Schaffer) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), exhibit a gregarious habit. For all the species, information on parasitoid distribution, brief diagnosis with illustrations, host association, host caterpillar, and caterpillar host plant are provided for easy identification. Also host specificity of Glyptapanteles species is discussed in context with an extensive literature review of host records from India.
Lycaenidae parasitoids from peninsular India with description of four new species of microgastrin... more Lycaenidae parasitoids from peninsular India with description of four new species of microgastrine wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) along with new insights on host relationships
Tarucus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a group of Afro-Oriental butterflies, with the Indian Subcon... more Tarucus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a group of Afro-Oriental butterflies, with the Indian Subcontinent being one of its centers of diversity with eight species. In this study, we provide a taxonomic and nomenclatural review of these species based on morphology (male genitalia) and type specimens, and designate lectotypes in the Natural History Museum, London, and the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, for the following names: Tarucus callinara nigra Bethune-Baker, [1918], Tarucus callinara Butler, 1886, Tarucus venosus hazara Evans, 1932, Tarucus venosus Moore, 1882, Tarucus alteratus Moore, 1882, Tarucus extricatus Butler, 1886, Tarucus bengalensis Bethune-Baker, [1918], Tarucus theophrastus indica Evans, 1932, Castalius ananda de Niceville, [1884], Tarucus dharta Bethune-Baker, [1918]. We also describe previously unrecognized variation within Tarucus balkanica nigra that has caused confusion in the past. We then discuss aspects of their natural history and spatio-temporal distr...
We present a systematic, updated checklist of larval host plants of the butterflies of the Wester... more We present a systematic, updated checklist of larval host plants of the butterflies of the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. This includes recent new records, with a total of approximately 834 plant species/groups belonging to 88 families that are used by 320 butterfly species of the Western Ghats (the host plant records for 16 species are unknown). A reverse list is also provided as a reference to plant species-wise plant-butterfly associations. This work highlights the diversity of plant species on which the endemic and other butterfly species of the Western Ghats depend.
In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae... more In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae were parasitized by ten species of wasps. Four new taxa of lycaenid associated microgastrine wasps Parapanteles eros Gupta n. sp., P. arka Gupta n. sp., P. esha Gupta n. sp., and P. regale Gupta n. sp. reared from Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), respectively, are described with diagnostic details and illustrations along with documentation of six species of wasps viz., Apanteles folia, Apanteles sp., Protapanteles sp. 01 & 02 (Braconidae), Charops obtusus obtusus Morley (Ichneumonidae), and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Chalcididae). This is the first record of host-parasitoid association of lycaenid butterflies with Parapanteles. Wasps from three different families were recorded: Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcididae. The parasitoid species were reared from the following Lycaenidae hosts: Anthene lycaenina (Felder), Arhopala amantes Hewitson, Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Jamides celeno (Cramer), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Rathinda amor (Fabricius), Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), Tarucus balkanicus nigra Bethune-Baker, and Tarucus callinara Butler. All lycaenids were collected from peninsular India, except T. callinara (central India). A comparative account of all newly described species is provided along with the detailed illustrated description and differences vis-à-vis its closely allied Indian species. Also a comprehensive table comprising parasitoid species, associated host, stage of parasitism, and nature of cocoon is provided.
A new species of gregarious endoparasitoid, Parapanteles echeriae Gupta, Pereira & Churi, sp. nov... more A new species of gregarious endoparasitoid, Parapanteles echeriae Gupta, Pereira & Churi, sp. nov., bred from Abisara echeria Stoll (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) on host plant Embelia sp. (Myrsinaceae), is described and illustrated from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Abisara echeria, commonly known as plum judy, is a small striking butterfly prevalent in Asia. This is the first ever record of a parasitic wasp associated with Abisara. Parapanteles echeriae is distinguished from P. sireeshaae Ahmad & Akhtar in having propodeum with areola 1.2x as long as wide; anterior diagonal carina meeting anterior margin of propodeum in one half; veins r and 2RS of fore wing merging in a smooth curve; yellow coloured legs and tegulae brownish black. A key to the Indian species of Parapanteles is also provided.
In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae... more In the comprehensive rearing of lepidopterans from peninsular India, eleven species of Lycaenidae were parasitized by ten species of wasps. Four new taxa of lycaenid associated microgastrine wasps Parapanteles eros Gupta n. sp., P. arka Gupta n. sp., P. esha Gupta n. sp., and P. regale Gupta n. sp. reared from Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), respectively, are described with diagnostic details and illustrations along with documentation of six species of wasps viz., Apanteles folia, Apanteles sp., Protapanteles sp. 01 & 02 (Braconidae), Charops obtusus obtusus Morley (Ichneumonidae), and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Chalcididae). This is the first record of host-parasitoid association of lycaenid butterflies with Parapanteles. Wasps from three different families were recorded: Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcididae. The parasitoid species were reared from the following Lycaenidae hosts: Anthene lycaenina (Felder), Arhopala amantes Hewitson, Chilades pandava (Horsfield), Curetis thetis (Drury), Jamides celeno (Cramer), Prosotas dubiosa (Semper), Rathinda amor (Fabricius), Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius), Tajuria cippus (Fabricius), Tarucus balkanicus nigra Bethune-Baker, and Tarucus callinara Butler. All lycaenids were collected from peninsular India, except T. callinara (central India). A comparative account of all newly described species is provided along with the detailed illustrated description and differences vis-à-vis its closely allied Indian species. Also a comprehensive table comprising parasitoid species, associated host, stage of parasitism, and nature of cocoon is provided.
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