This document summarizes information on various moth species found in North Bengal, India. It discusses the order Lepidoptera and states that approximately 12,000 moth species have been recorded in India, with over 1,058 species found in West Bengal. It then provides details on several moth species from the super family Pyraloidea, including their common and scientific names, which plants they feed on, and whether they are considered pests. Species discussed include the rice leaf roller, yellow stem borer, white stem borer, rice case worm, and brinjal shoot and fruit borer.
2. Moth diversity at a glance
Lepidoptera being a second largest order of class
Insecta having about 47 Super Families.
In India, approximately 12,000 species of moths are
recorded.
In West Bengal, documented moth species is over
1058, belonging to 614 genera pertaining to 38
families and 83 sub families.
3. Super Family : Pyraloidea
(Snout moth)
The Pyraloidea (pyraloid moths or snout moths) is the
third largest with about 16,500 described species
across the world. Currently, there are 19 subfamilies
in this family.
Bhattacharya (1997) reported 72 species from West
Bengal (India) which gives us the rich diversity of this
family in the area.
1. Family : Pyralidae
2. Family : Crambidae
5. Rice Leaf Roller, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee, 1854
Sub-species : C. m. nurscialis Walker, 1859.
Bengali name : Dhaner pata mora poka
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family : Spilomelinae
UBKV/ CB/ Mo 18a
Rice leaf folder or folder is sometime major pest in nature in this area. Now its
complex has changed from minor to major pest status in Philippines, South and
South East Asia
6. Lessar Rice Leaf Roller, Cnaphalocrocis poeyalis (Boisduval )
Bengali Name : Poyal patamora poka
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family : Spilomelinae
Lessar Rice leaf folder is a minor pest in nature in this
area. Very recently it has been recorded from this area.
CB/ Mo/ I 212
11. Dark Headed Stem Borer, Chilo polychrysus (Meyrick)
Bengali name : Bhuttyar nali poka
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family : Crambinae
It is repoted to be major pest of maze crop . Its caterpillars
are damage the stem of joyar, bajra, paddy, sugarcane etc.
CB/ Mo / I 208
12. Pod Borer Moth, Maruca testulalis (Gayer)
Bengali name : Suti chidrakari poka
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Its larva are reported to be minor pest of
cowpea, garden pea, bean etc.
CB/ Mo I 213
13. Paraponyx fluctuosalis Zeller 1852
Bengali Name : Sada chit moth
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family : Acentropinae
CB/ Mo/ I 214
Its larvae feed on various grasses growing in water,
including Nymphaea species and Oryza sativa. It is found in
this area but not repoted to be a pest.
16. Beet Webworm, Spoladea recurvalis (Fab. 1775 )
Bengali name : Bit moth
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family Spilomelinae
UBKV/CB/ Mo/ 53
The larvae feed on beet, spinach, maize, soybean,
cotton etc. The green larvae feed on the underside of
the leaves protected by a slight web.
19. Cucumber moth, Diaphnia indica Saunders 1851
Bengali name : Ghuri moth
Super Family : Pyraloidea
Family : Crambidae
Sub Family : Spilomelinae
Its caterpillars are occasionally a pest of cucurbits in
this area. it is native to southern Asia.
UBKV/ CB/ Mo 223
