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The taxonomic position of the genus Gazalina Walker remained ambiguous and it continuously reshuffled its position in the family Notodontidae and subfamily Lymantriinae of family Erebidae. The present study has been carried out to elucidate its taxonomic position in accordance with the morphological, molecular, larval, and behavioural characteristics of its species. A detailed account of two species namely Gazalina chrysolopha (Kollar) and Gazalina apsara (Moore), the type species of this genus, has also been given. The CoI sequence of Gazalina chrysolopha (MH795522) and Gazalina apsara (MH790288) from the present study were compared with the available reference sequences in Genbank by using BLAST. Its placement under the subfamily Thaumetopoeinae of the family Notodontidae has been justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in surface water is a worldwide concern. Being the primary source of river pollution, the wastewater drains bring agricultural and domestic waste into the rivers. The present study was carried out to evaluate levels of heavy metals from wastewater drains of River Ghaggar in Punjab (India). The water samples were collected in five different seasons to carry out this work. The concentration of five metals (lead, cadmium, iron, aluminium, and nickel) was determined through Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) technique. The data were interpreted through various environmental and human health risk assessments. The results of the current study revealed that lead, iron, and aluminium exceeded the permissible limit of the Central Pollution Control Board (India). Pollution indices such as the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), water pollution index (WPI), and degree of contamination (Cd), suggested enormous heavy metal contamination in the study area. Human health risk assessment also revealed that people dwelling near these drains are highly prone to cancer disease and hazard quotients were observed above the threshold limit that poses high non-carcinogenic risks. Based on the current study, recommendations are made for water quality improvement in the wastewater drains of Punjab. These drains are further responsible for enhancing pollution in the main rivers in the State of Punjab and heavy metal pollution also poses several environmental and health risks. The compiled data during the present study provides a baseline model that can be helpful in resource management for government authorities of Punjab state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of notodontid moth, Neopheosia melaniata sp. nov. is described with illustration. This new species is closely allied to N. fasciata Moore, 1888 (type species) and completely conforms to the characterization of genus Neopheosia Matsumura. The wing coloration, distinct discal spot on forewing and genitalic features make it distinct. The taxonomic account of N. fasicata Moore is included. © 2024 Association for Advancement of Entomology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematics encompasses two more narrowly defined but highly interdependent fields. The first is taxonomy and the second field is phylogenetics. In modern systematics, taxonomy aims to reflect evolutionary history. The morphological traits of immature stages remain largely unresolved for a vast majority of the lepidopteran species worldwide, although they have potential to be applied in lepidopteran classification and systematic studies. The larval instars in Lepidoptera are signature examples of agricultural pests. The present study deals with SEM investigation of ultrastructure of different instars of two lepidopteran pest species i.e., Somena scintillans Walker 1856 and Trabala vishnou Lefebvre 1827. These findings will not only help in enriching taxonomic database but will also act as an aid for future studies aimed at devising pest control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggs of Capissa vagesa (Moore, 1859) and Trabala vishnou (Lefèbvre, 1827) from the families Erebidae and Lasiocampidae were examined and characterized under scanning electron microscope. Significant morphological traits on the eggshells of both analyzed species are presented in current study. Descriptions and comparative morphological assessments for both species of these moths are provided, in addition to the structural complexity of the eggs uncovered throughout the course of this study. This study showed that ultrastructural egg chorion features investigated in the current study i.e., shape of Micropylar rosette, polygonal cells, number of micropyles and aeropyles have high taxonomic significance at specific and generic levels, and these sort of investigations must be expanded to improve and elevate the morphological depiction at levels of earlier life stages in various moth families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus of Lymantriinae, Maeopro􀄐tis gen. nov. has been proposed with 􀀜upro􀄐tis lati􀄨as􀄐ia (Walker) as its type species. The morphological descriptions and diagnosis have also been provided for the new genus. Another species su􀄏􀄨as􀄐iata Walker has been shi􀅌ed under the new genus as a new combination Maeopro􀄐tis su􀄏􀄨as􀄐iata (Walker) comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Neocerura convergata under the genus Neocerura Matsumura, 1929 has been described and illustrated. This species is closely related to N. liturata Walker, 1855 (type species) and completely conforms to the characterization of the genus. The wing maculation, larger size, and genitalic features make it distinct. The taxonomic account of N. liturata Walker, 1855 has also been included. The revival of the genus Neocerura Matsumura, 1929 has also been justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study has been conducted to document information on breeding behaviour of Egyptian Vultures Neophrons percnopterus from Punjab. This study is based on 688 hours of video records documenting breeding behaviour of a pair of endangered Egyptian Vultures Neophrons percnopterus occupying the same nesting site over three consecutive breeding seasons from 2015 to 2017. The site is located in the hollow of a ventilation window ofthe Space Observatory in Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab. During the third breeding period (February to August 2017), the nest activity has been extensively video-recorded in egg laying and incubation period, and chick rearing period using a Dome CCTV Camera. Both parents participated In nest building, and ofthe total recorded incubation time of 339.39h over 23 days the nest was attended for 199.35 and 139.46h by the female and male respectively, and unattended for 0.58h. The incubation period was 42 to 43 days, and the egg laylng/hatchlng Intervals between eggs/chlcks was five days. A total of six young ones hatched and fledged from three broods of two eggs each. All chicks survived to fledging and no mortality or siblicide of younger chick occurred due to aggression/starvation by elder chick. The high fledging success rate indicates a healthy habitat and food source In the nesting area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external morphological characters including the male and female genital features of Rachia striata Hampson have been studied and illustrated in detail. The taxonomic position of genus Rachia Moore in subfamily Periergosinae has been justified. The external morphological characters particularly the genitalic features such as robust uncus, massive gnathos, serrated process on costa, and bifurcated aedeagus completely conform to the characterization of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal male and female genitalic features of Pida decolorata (Walker) of the family Lymantriidae have been studied and illustrated in detail to evaluate their taxonomic significance. Its distribution data have also been updated with its range extension to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in Northwest Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Trabala Walker is represented by 28 species from the Oriental and Palearctic regions. Three species of this genus, i.e., Trabala ganesha Roepke, Trabala pallida (Walker), and Trabala vishnou (Lefebvre) have been critically examined to study the external morphological structures including the wing venation and genitalic features. These attributes are species-specific and can be used for discrimination of closely allied species. A key has also been formulated. The wing venation and genitalic features of these three species proved to be significant for differentiation, and on the basis of these studies, it has been found that these three species are significantly distinct from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external morphological characters particularly the wing venation and genitalic features of three species namely lineata (Moore), fulgens (Moore) and latipennis (Walker) of genus Kunugia Nagano of family Lasiocampidae have been studied and illustrated in detail. Two species i.e., Kunugia lineata (Moore) and Kunugia latipennis (Walker) have been reported from North- West India for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present communication deals with the taxonomic studies of Himala argentea (Walker) which is the type species of the genus Himala Moore. The external morphological characters including the wing maculation, venation and particularly the male and female external genitalic features of this species have been studied and illustrated in detail. This genus is characterized by asymmetrical valvae in male genitalia. The genus diagnosis has also been updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species, Rhagastis velata Walker and Rhagastis olivacea Moore have been taxonomically examined. The external morphological characters, including wing venation and male genitalic features, have been studied in detail. Besides updating the genus diagnosis and distributional range, the key to the studied species has also been formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]