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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
In this paper, a total of 55 species of 43 genera of moth caterpillars, covering three super- families, including 3 families and 9 families, affecting more than 59 species of host crops and plant species, has been dealt with. The number of various species, under different families and sub-families of caterpillars are: Crambidae-Crambinae (2 spp.), Evergestinae (2 spp.), Glaphyriinae (1 sp.), Pyraustinae (6 spp.) and Spilomelinae (5 spp.); Erebidae- Aractiinae (10 spp.) and Lymantriinae (12 spp.); Tortricidae- Olethreutinae (8 spp.) and Tortricinae (9 spp.). The highest number of caterpillar species i.e., 21, has been found to be affecting 28 spp. of medicinal/ aromatic plants. This is followed by 12 spp., damaging fruit trees / crops (berry, drupaceous, pome), with 10 spp. on apple trees / crops. 9 spp. of caterpillar are associated with mulberry plantations (Morus). It is followed by a total of 6 spp. each, damaging food crops, vegetable crops and animal fodder / forage. 3 spp. of caterpillars are known to damage wood / timber trees, 2 spp. each affect aquatic weed, oil seed crop and ornamental plants, 1 sp. feeding on dye-yielding plant. An up-to- date systematic checklist of moth caterpillar species associated with crops and plant species, has been provided. Apart from this, species diversity of moth caterpillars on host / food plants, has been given.
