International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Pavithrra Dharani SK, Kathirvelu C, B Ananda Ganesa Raja

Abstract
An attempt was made to survey for lepidopteran faunal diversity of Kolli hills, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu from January to December, 2015. During the study period 1,077 lepidopterans were recorded by using various methods like aerial netting, light trap and host rearing. Out of which, the study area registered with 251 butterflies, 39 skippers and 787 moths. They were identified up to subfamily level with the help of standard taxonomic keys. From the survey, nine superfamilies viz., Papilionoidea, Hesperioidea, Gelechioidea, Sesioidea, Pterophoroidea, Pyraloidea, Bombycoidea, Geometroidea and Noctuoidea were recorded. Among them, Noctuoidea was found to be dominant with 338 individuals followed by Papilionoidea (251). The superfamily, Papilionoidea recorded with four families viz., Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae while the superfamily Hesperioidea found with only one family Hesperiidae. Among them, Nymphalidae was predominant with 83 numbers followed by Pieridae recorded 62 numbers. There were eight moth families viz., Oecophoridae, Sesiidae, Pterophoridae, Crambidae, Shingidae, Geometridae, Uraniidae and Noctuidae were observed from the study area using various collection methods. Among them, Noctuidae was the dominant family. Out of twenty-four subfamilies recorded from the study area, Noctuinae was found to be superior with 127 numbers followed by Spilomelinae (121).