Annual Progress Report for the period from April, 2017 to March, 2018 On the project titled

Biodiversity, Habitat Association and GIS Mapping of Noctuid (: ) of Chirpine forest of Jammu Province (Jammu & Kashmir) (GBPI/IERP-NMHS/15-16/28/10 Dated: 31.03.2016)

Integrated Eco-Development Research Programme (IERP)

Submitted to G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development, Almora, Utterakhand-263643

By: Dr. Pawan Kumar (Scientist-D) Principal Investigator

HIMALAYAN FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education) Conifer Campus, Panthaghati SHIMLA – 171 013 (H.P.) 1. Project Title: Biodiversity, Habitat Association and GIS Mapping of Noctuid moths (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) of Chirpine forest of Jammu Province (Jammu & Kashmir) India. GBPI/IERP-NMHS/15-16

2. Name of Principal Investigator and Project Staff: PI: Dr. Pawan Kumar (Scientist-D)

Co. PI: Dr. R. K. Verma (Scientist-G)

Junior Project fellow: Manoj Kumar

3. GBPIHED project sanction letter No. & Date of sanction: GBPI/IERP-NMHS/15- 16/28/10 Dated 31st March, 2016 4. Total outlay sanctioned- Rs. 12.50 Lakhs 4.1 Duration- 3 Years

5. Date of start: 1st April, 2016

6. Grant received during the year: Rs. 3, 62,585.00

7. Expenditure incurred during the year: Rs 3, 13,841.64

8. Bound area of research: and Biodiversity

9. Sub area of the project: GIS mapping of the Noctuid moths.

10. Approved objectives of the project:

The present study will be undertaken in the Chirpine forest of Jammu province of Jammu & Kashmir envisaging following objectives. 1. Survey, identification and assessment of Noctuid (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) diversity. 2. Biodiversity analysis to determine the threat status of the Noctuid moths. 3. To study associated vegetation, habitat preferences and correlate distribution patterns of moth species with environmental factors. 4. GIS mapping of Noctuid moth diversity of the Chirpine forest of Jammu province. 11. Methodology:

Methodology for Taxonomic Study:

1. Pilot surveys was done (during May to October every year) to selected localities, which are selected as representatives of the habitat type in the study area. 2. Collection, preservation and storage of specimens of Noctuid moths (Srivastava et. al. 2005, 2006). 3. Regular marked trails in all habitat types will be made during collection period. All moth species were collected, identified and recorded. 4. Identification of Noctuid moth fauna with the help of literature or through comparison with national reference collections being housed at Entomological Museums of I.A.R.I., New Delhi; Z.S.I., and F.R.I., Dehradun. 5. Dissection of imagos for the study of genitalia (Kumar, 2004; Srivastava et. al. 2005, 2006). Keys for identification will be prepared on the basis of taxonomic characters. 6. Transect counts were made to monitor moth population three transect each with 1000×10m were selected at different habitat. 7. For data analysis, various factor was observed like moth species occurrence distribution across different Altitudinal ranges, GPS Coordinates, temperature, humidity, latitude, longitude, altitude etc. 8. GIS mapping was carried out for all the Noctuid moth species of Chirpine forest of Jammu & Kashmir.

Study sites

Name of the Area: Chirpine Forest Jammu Province State: Jammu and Kashmir Districts: Kathua, Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba and Ramban

Collection of Noctuid Moths: Various localities in J&K located at different chirpine forest were surveyed during whole of the year for the collection of Noctuid fauna. Forest Rest House of all localities was chosen as an ideal site for setting up of temporary laboratory to execute the entire field work of setting light lure system, collection stretching, drying, labelling and storage of procured species of family Noctuidae of order Lepidoptera.

Light Lure System

Drying and Stretching techniques

Stretched specimens i) Methodology for Taxonomic Study:

 Pilot surveys were done (during March to October every year) to selected localities, which are selected as representatives of the habitat type in the study area.  Studied the associated vegetation, environmental factors (Temperature, humidity, rainfall, & altitude) and pest incidence in the field. Vegetation (Trees, shrubs, & herbs) of selected sites were studied by laying out quadrates of different sizes.  Zoogeography of Noctuid fauna was studied. For data analysis, various factors were observed like moth species occurrence, distribution across different Altitudinal ranges, GPS Coordinates, temperature, humidity, latitude, longitude, altitude etc.  Collection, preservation and storage of specimens of noctuid moths (Common, 1959, Kumar, 2005, Srivastava et. al. 2005, 2006) were done.  Identification of noctuid fauna with the help of literature or through comparison with national reference collections being housed at Entomological Museums of I.A.R.I., New Delhi; Z.S.I., Kolkata and F.R.I., Dehradun.  Study of wing venation (Zimmerman, 1978; Kumar, 2004; Srivastava et. al., 2005, 2006) and dissection of imagos for the study of genitalia (Kumar, 2004; Srivastava et. al. 2005, 2006).  Identification and characterization of new species of noctuid moths. ii) Methodology for analyzing biodiversity 1. Regular marked trails in all chirpine habitats of J&K was made during the night time, once every month. All moths species sighted was collected, identified and recorded. Identifications were confirmed from different national museum and literature. Based on the relative abundance estimates, the moths were classified according to Rajasekhar (1992a, 1992b and 1995) as follows: 1. Abundant: >30% 2.Very Common: 20% - 30% 3. Common: 10% - 20% 4. Frequent: 5% - 10% 5. Occasional: 1% - 5% 6. Rare: < 1%.

The mean relative abundance values of all the counts in each habitat were calculated for the different species in the four seasons. Differences between the means across the habitats was tested to determine any habitat preference by the moths.

2. Trap counts were made to monitor moth populations during April to October. Two sites were selected at each habitat, such as undisturbed chirpine forest and disturbed chirpine forests. Each of these sites was visited at once per month and all the moths observed was recorded site-wise. Moths were collected for identification. a) Data analysis:

Chi-square analysis was carried out to assess the variation in the abundance of moths by taking the cumulative number of each species in each habitat. b) Differentiation diversity (beta diversity): Shannon-Winner diversity index is applied to know the threat status of the Noctuid species of conifer forest of Jammu & Kashmir.

12. Work Plan:

Year-wise work plan Sr. No. Activity Year-1 Year-2 Year-3 1 Survey & collection of moth specimens √ √ √ 2 Identification, characterization and taxonomic study √ √ √ 3 Study of vegetation & environmental Factors √ √ √ 4 Biodiversity. Associated vegetation and Habitat preferences analysis -- -- √ 5 GIS mapping -- √ √ 6 Data analysis and PCR writing -- -- √

13. Salient research achievements as per work plan/objectives covered during the year:

1. Survey, identification and assessment of Noctuid moth (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) diversity. The proposed work is undertaken to survey and identify the Noctuid moth (Lepidoptera) diversity, habitat preferences and their GIS mapping in the Chirpine forest of Jammu province. Survey was conducted to Chirpine forests of Forest Division Jammu, Kathua, Ramnagar, Mansar, Bilawar, Nagrota, Udhampur, Reasi, Katra, Rajouri, and Ramban. Chirpine forest sites were selected for collection and geo-referencing/GIS mapping of Noctuid moths (Lepidoptera) of the region. Visit to respective DFO and RO was done for permission and detail about Chirpine forest for selection of suitable sites was done. GPS data was recorded. Study of vegetation & environmental factors was done by recording the temperature and humidity data of selected sites. 203 Specimens of moths samples collected from Chirpine habitats were subjected to taxonomic treatment with the help devised standard methodology. Moth samples were identified with the help of comparison with old specimens and by visiting to entomological museum IARI, Delhi. Sorting of specimens were done according to family and genera. Total of 206 Noctuid moth samples collected were sorted into various taxa and 57 species were dissected for taxonomic characterization. Identified moth species collected from Chirpine forests include Aemene taprobanis, Creatonotos traniens, Dichromia pullata, Spilosoma oblique, Calyptera emarginata, latifascia, Helicoverpa armigera, Plusiodonta auripicta, Euproctis witella, Thysanoplusia nigrisinha, caricae, Trichoplusia orichalcea, aequalis, Agrotis ipsilon, deflorata, Olipa ricini, Digama hearseyana, Aloa spp., Hypena abussimlis, Fadina pullula, Lyphmna attarnes, Argina astrea, Eupterote spp., Cyana puella. Georeferences like latitude, altitude and longitude etc. were collected form Chirpine forests of Udhampur, Jammu, Reasi and Katra for future mapping. Geographical information has been updated and tabulated for further mapping on GIS platform

Mansar (N32˚ 41̍ 39.6̎; E 075˚ 09̍ 05.8̎) Altitude: 662m

Nagrota (Bilawar) (N32˚ 38̍ 43.3̎; E 075˚ 23̍ 26.9̎) Altitude: 756m

Katra Forest Range (N 33° 05.296’; E 74° 39.562’) Altitude: 552m

Reasi forest Range (N 33˚ 05ʹ 296̋; E74˚ 39ʹ 562̋) Altitude: 552m

Udhampur Forest Division (N 32° 59.286’; E 075° 07.253’) Altitude: 1072m

Collection of Noctuid moth in daytime Noctuid moth recorded in forest at daytime

Collection of moth with Light Trap at night

Table: 1 GPS data of selected sites of Chirpine forest of Jammu division.

S. No. Name of Latitude Longitude Altitude location

1. Anthem N 32˚46̍ 37.3̎ E075˚00̍ 23.5̎ 579m

2. Anthem N 32˚ 40̍ 55.4̎ E075˚00̍ 40.8̎ 619m

3. Kakadai N 32˚ 42̍ 34.7̎ E 075˚ 09̍ 25.7̎ 577m

4. Mansar N32˚ 42̍ 06.2̎ E 075˚ 09̍ 12.9̎ 640m

5. Kathua N32˚ 28̍ 42.8̎ E075˚ 24̍ 31.9̎ 537m

6. Bilawar N32˚ 37̍ 04.2̎ E075˚ 36̍ 11.1̎ 756m

7. Bilawar N32˚ 37̍ 02.6̎ E75˚ 36̍ 09.5̎ 703m

8. Bilawar N32˚ 36̍ 37.3̎ E75˚ 36̍ 08.4̎ 725m

9. Bilawar N32˚ 36̍ 11.8̎ E75˚ 34̍ 37.4̎ 687m 10. Bilawar N32˚ 35̍ 29.3̎ E75˚ 33̍ 28.6̎ 638m

11. Mansar N 32°41’ 39.6” E75°09’ 05.8” 662m

12. Nagrota N 32°38' 40.9" E 75°23'27.1" 752m

13. Nomin (Reasi N 33° 05.296’ E 74° 39.562’ 552m Forest Division) 14. Parrnali N 32° 32.985’ E 075° 36.984’ 730m (Bilawar Forest division) 15. Panchori N 32° 59.286’ E 075° 07.253’ 1072m (Udhampur Forest Division) 16. Moori (Reasi N 33˚ 05ʹ 296̋ E74˚ 39ʹ 562̋ 552m Forest Division) 17. Nagrota N 32˚ 38ʹ 43.5̋ E75˚ 23ʹ 26.4̋ 752m

2. To study associated vegetation, habitat preferences and correlate distribution patterns of moth species with environmental factors. Data on host plant has been taken and host plants were identified. Quadrants were laid down and study the associated plant of Chirpine forest of selected sites. Plants identified includes Pinus roxburghii, Lantana, Acasia nolitica, Parthenium hysterophorus, Ziziphus spp., Carissa carandas, Phoenix spp., Albizia julibrissin, Dodonaea viscosa, Callistemon spp. Murraya koenigii, religiosa L., Ficus racemosa.

Laying Quadrants to study the vegetation Recording vegetation Data of Chirpine forest

Lentena Grass

Acasia nolitica

Parthenium hysterophorus Mallotus philippensis

Murraya koenigii Carissa spp.

Callistemon Spp. Pteris Spp. Phoenix Spp.

Host plants of Noctuid moth of Chirpine forest of Jammu

3. Identification and characterization and taxonomic study of Noctuid moths:  A total of 206 specimens of Noctuid moths were collected. Total specimens of 57 species of Noctuid moths collected were identified and characterized. Table: 2 List of studied specimen along with respective families S. Name of Species Super family Family No. 1. Agrotis ipsilon Noctuidae 2. Agrotis segetum Noctuoidea Noctuidae 3. Anomis subulifera Noctuoidea 4. Noctuoidea Erebidae 5. Auchmis inextricata Noctuoidea Noctuidae 6. Auchmis intermediata Noctuoidea Noctuidae 7. Calesia dasypterus Noctuoidea Noctuidae 8. Calyptera emarginata Noctuoidea Noctuidae 9. Catocala concubia Noctuoidea Erebidae 10. Cerura liturata Noctuoidea Notodontidae 11. Chrysodeixis acuta Noctuoidea Noctuidae 12. Conservula indica Noctuoidea Noctuidae 13. Dichromia pullata Noctuoidea Noctuidae 14. Dysgonia latifascia Noctuoidea Noctuidae 15. Dysgonia torrida Noctuoidea Noctuidae 16. Euproctis witella Noctuoidea Erebidae 17. Euxoa aequalis Noctuoidea Noctuidae 18. Helicoverpa armigera Noctuoidea Noctuidae 19. Hypena lignealis Noctuoidea Noctuidae 20. Hypocala deflorata Noctuoidea Erebidae 21. irregularis Noctuoidea Noctuidae 22. Leucania loreyi Noctuoidea Noctuidae 23. Magusa tenebrosa Noctuoidea Noctuidae 24. Mocis furgalis Noctuoidea Noctuidae 25. Plusia erissma Noctuoidea Noctuidae 26. Plusiodonta auripicta Noctuoidea Erebidae 27. Polyphaenis pulcherrima Noctuoidea Noctuidae 28. Spilosoma oblique Noctuoidea Erebidae 29. Spodoptera litura Noctuoidea Noctuidae 30. Thysanoplusia nigrisinha Noctuoidea Noctuidae 31. Trachea auriplena Noctuoidea Noctuidae 32. Trachea melanospila Noctuoidea Noctuidae 33. Trichoplusia orichalcea Noctuoidea Noctuidae

Plate-A

Agrotis ipsilon Agrotis segetum Anomis subulifera

Asota caricae Auchmis inextricata Calesia dasypterus

Calyptra emarginata Catocala concubia Cerura liturata

Chrysodeixis acuta Conservula indica Dichromia pullata

Dysgonia latifascia Dysgonia torrida Euproctis witella

Hypena lignealis Euxoa aequalis Helicoverpa armigera

Leucania loreyi Hypocala deflorata Leucania irregularis

Magusa tenebrosa Mocis furgalis Plusia erissma

Plusiodonta auripicta Spilosoma oblique Polyphaenis pulcherrima

Trachea auriplena Trichoplusia orichalcea Trachea auriplena

Plate -B

Male genitalia of Agrotis ipsilon Male genitalia of Agrotis segetum

Male genitalia of Asota caricae Male genitalia of Auchmis inextricata

Male genitalia of Calesia dasypterus Male genitalia of Catocala concubia

Male genitalia of Conservula indica Male genitalia of Dichromia pullata

Male genitalia of Dysgonia latifascia Male genitalia of Dysgonia torrida

Male genitalia of Helicoverpa armigera Male genitalia of Leucania irregularis

Male genitalia of Leucania loreyi Male genitalia of Magusa tenebrosa

Male genitalia of Mocis furgalis Male genitalia of Polyphaenis pulcherrima

 Wing preparation and genitalic examination of all 57 species was carried out for proper identification.  GPS coordinates taken and GIS mapping was being initiated with the support of Dept. of Science & technology, Govt. of H.P.

14. Summary of progress:

Chirpine forest of Kathua, Mansar, Anthum, Bilawar, Nagrota, Udhampur, Reasi, Katra, Rajouri and Ramban were selected for survey and study on Noctuid moth biodiversity. Noctuid Moth species were collected and stored for permanent preservation and taxonomic study. Total 206 specimens were collected and out of which 57 species of Noctuid moth were identified from these sites. Data on weather parameters/georeferencing was recorded.

Standard methodology was adopted for recording the biodiversity/distribution data of moth fauna in selected Chirpine habitats. Wing venation and genitalia of 57 species were studied after dissecting the adults to update the taxonomic features of the species. A total of 206 specimens of Noctuid moths were collected. Total specimens of 57 species of Noctuid moths collected were identified and characterized. Wing preparation and genitalic examination of all 57 species was carried out for proper identification. GPS coordinates taken and GIS mapping was being initiated with the support of Dept. of Science & technology, Govt. of H.P. Data on host plant has been taken and host plants were identified.

15. New observations: These Noctuid moths species (57) were reported first time from Chirpine forest of Jammu & Kashmir.

16. Innovations: GPS Co-ordinates for future geo-referencing and geo-mapping.

17. Research work which remains to be done under the project referring to Objectives to be covered.

 Biodiversity, Associated vegetation and Habitat preferences analysis.  Periodic visits to the selected sites and collection of Noctuid fauna to assess the diversity status in Chirpine forest of Jammu providence.  GIS mapping.  Data analysis and PCR writing.

Signature of PI

Dated:

Note: The report id to be submitted in FIVE copies duly bound and typed in A-4 size paper.

Report should be forwarded by the Head of the Institution/Organization.