Checklist of moths of Savitribai Phule Pune University, India

Bhalchanadra Pujari

doi:10.15468/ek39nv

Checklist of moths of Savitribai Phule Pune University, India

Citation

Pujari B (2024). Checklist of moths of Savitribai Phule Pune University, India. Version 1.6. Alive Charitable Trust, Pune. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ek39nv accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.

Description

This is a checklist compiled over 6 years of observations on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University, India. The list contains the observation of Lepidoptera (suborder Heterocera - not containing butterflies). First such version was published in 2021 (https://gitlab.com/bspujari/sppu_moths). This work can be considered as an extension of the same work. There are total 361 entries encompassing 250 genera with 202 species-level identifications.

Purpose

Despite the rich biodiversity we could not /ind the comprehensive checklist for the campus or even broader metropolis region. One of the most important works in the nearby region on lepidoptera inventory is due to Shubhalaxmi et. al. (2011) wherein the authors have explored the said fauna in Western Ghats. Their areas of observations has been mainly the hilly region with dense forest cover. They have reported a rich fauna but it is expected that an urban environment is unlikely to support same diversity. The other records do exist from northern Maharashtra (Gurule and Nikam (2011, 2013) , but the terrain and the climate is significantly differ from that in Pune. Therefore it was imperative to document the Lepidoptera fauna in its current state for the university campus.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

For data collections we carried more than two years of observations from 2018 to 2024. We aperiodically observed the walls lit with 60W compact /fluorescent lamps located mainly at three locations on the campus 1) near Jaykar library, 2) Faculty house and 3) department of scientific computing modeling & simulation. Some insignificant number of observations were also made at other location across the campus. To be the non- invasive, no separate traps were set up; neither any moth was captured for the observation. As a result some of the identification had to be limited to genera level.

Sampling

The data was captured from 2018 to 2024, primarily during the monsoon period. The frequency was not fixed.

Quality Control

Each species that is listed in the checklist is photographed and the identification if peer-reviewed via crowd-sourcing through iNaturalist.org. Utmost care has been taken and only observations that pass the "Research Grade" level on iNaturalist were selected to be considered for checklist, ensuring democratic agreement in peer-review.

Method steps

1) Set up a light source 2) Take the pictures of the individuals visiting the source 3) Upload the data on iNaturalist.org for peer reviewed identification.

Additional info

This work can be considered as an extension of https://gitlab.com/bspujari/sppu_moths. The python program available on the link can be utilized by others to generate similar checklists.

Taxonomic Coverages

All Lepidoptera except Rhopalocera (butterflies)

Arthropoda
rank: phylum
Insecta
rank: class
Nolidae
rank: family
Cosmopterigidae
rank: family
Crambidae
rank: family
Noctuidae
rank: family
Euteliidae
rank: family
Gracillariidae
rank: family
Lasiocampidae
rank: family
Oecophoridae
rank: family
Tineidae
rank: family
Gelechiidae
rank: family
Hyblaeidae
rank: family
Tortricidae
rank: family
Eupterotidae
rank: family
Plutellidae
rank: family
Animalia
rank: kingdom
Depressariidae
rank: family
Pyralidae
rank: family
Peleopodidae
rank: family
Erebidae
rank: family
Uraniidae
rank: family
Lecithoceridae
rank: family
Notodontidae
rank: family
Limacodidae
rank: family
Sphingidae
rank: family
Bombycidae
rank: family
Geometridae
rank: family
Eriocottidae
rank: family
Lepidoptera
rank: order
Stathmopodidae
rank: family
Pterophoridae
rank: family
Thyrididae
rank: family

Geographic Coverages

Campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India.

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Bhalchanadra Pujari
originator
position: Member
Alive Charitable Trust
Pune
IN

Bhalchanadra Pujari
metadata author
position: Member
Alive Charitable Trust
Pune
IN

Bhalchanadra Pujari
principal investigator
position: Member
Alive Charitable Trust
Pune
IN

Bhalchanadra Pujari
administrative point of contact
position: Member
Alive Charitable Trust
Pune
IN