JCBPS; Section B; November 2016 – January 2017, Vol. 7, No. 1 ; 149-152, E- ISSN: 2249 –1929 Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences An International Peer Review E-3 Journal of Sciences Available online atwww.jcbsc.org Section B: Biological Sciences CODEN (USA): JCBPAT Research Note Studies on male genitalia of Nevrina procopia (Stoll) (Pyraustinae: Crambidae: Lepidoptera) Jagbir Singh Kirti1, Navneet Singh2 and Harsimran Singh3* 1,3Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University 2Zoological Survey of India, Gangetic Plains Regional Centre, Patna Received: 03November 2016; Revised: 16 December 2016; Accepted: 22 December 2016 Abstract: Male genitalia of the Nevrina procopia (Stoll) is studied here is considerable details for the first time. The collected specimens were identified by using standard techniques of Lepidopterology. The studied male genitalic features will strengthen the diagnosis of this economically significant species and have been incorporated for updating the status of present taxa. Keywords: Nevrina procopia, Pyraustinae, Crambidae, genitalia. INTRODUCTION Stoll1 proposed a new species procopia Stoll under genus Phalaena Linneaus. Guenée2 in 1854 erected a new genus Nevrina Guenée to accommodate Phalaena procopia Stoll as its type species. The same systematic placement was followed by Hampson3 and Klima4. Presently, under genus Nevrina Guenée there are three species; one in Oriental region i.e. procopia Stoll and the other two being in Afrotropical region i.e. radiate Ghesquiére and verlainei Ghesquiére5. In this manuscript details of external genitalic attributes of male belonging to Nevrina procopia (Stoll) have been studied and presented in considerable details for the first time. 149 J. Chem. Bio. Phy. Sci. Sec. B, November 2016 – January 2017; Vol.7, No.1;149-152 Studies … Jagbir Singh et al. MATERIAL AND METHODS Intensive and extensive collection cum survey tours were conducted to region of North East India to collect adult representatives of Pyraustin moths. Vertical trap sheet method as proposed by Fry and Warring6 powered by a mercury bulb was put up at night time in forest area. Moths were collected in collection jars, moths were killed by vapours of ethyl acetate. Killed moths were stretched in stretching boxes. Identification was done by consulting pertinent literature3. Slides of forewing and hindwing were made by method proposed by Zimmerman7 and genitalia was dissected according to technique proposed by Robinson8. Nomenclature for genitalia followed as proposed by Klots9. DIAGNOSIS Labial palpi vertically upturned; second and third segments conically scaled, not reaching the level of vertex of head. Maxillary palpi filiform. Frons rounded and antennae nearly simple and annulated minutely toward apex. Forewing with discal cell less than half the length of wing; vein R1 originating cell at two-thirds of cell length; R2apposed to R3+4; later with its stalk twice as long as R3; R5 curved and approximated to R3+4 at base for about one-thirds of its length; M2, M3 and Cu1 originating from posterior angle of cell; Cu2radiating from posterior angle of cell at two-thirds; anal loop weak. Hindwing with discocellular incomplete; veins M2 and M3 approximated at base; Cu1 from slightly before than angle of the cell and minutely curved. Prothoracic tibia fringed with hair; mesothoracic tibia clothed with rough hair on its outside. Description: Vertex and frons studded with orange scales. Antennae equal almost to the length of forewing, minutely dilated in male, fringed with black on outerside. Eye prominent with a row of orange scales around it. Labial palpi dressed in orange and fuscous scales; first and second segment with a cut off portion in between, conically scaled; third conically scaled and turned upwards. Maxillary palpi orange; proboscis long and well developed, fringed with orange scales. Thorax adorned with black scales on dorsal side and white on ventral side. Forewing with ground colour purplish fuscous, with basal half orange; black spot at base; an antemedial black spot below median nervure; veins whitish; conspicuous marginal line through base. Discocellular produced till posterior angle of the cell. Hindwing with costal margin ahead in margin. Ground colour purplish-fuscous, with basal areaorange and white; a discocellular spot white. Discocellular thin and oblique. Legs covered with fuscous and orange scales; mid and hind tibia with hair on outside; outer spur of mesothoracic and of distal pair on metathoracic tibia half the length of inner, outer preapical spur less than half length of inner. Abdomen white both dorsally and ventrally, with a dorsal medial and two lateral rows, underside with a row of medial spots, anal tuft black in males. Male genitalia: Uncus small and triangular, setose at tip and ventral margin; gnathos missing; tuba analis long; subscaphium marked by sclerotised sharp like thickening; tegumen triangular; vinculum short, V shaped well sclerotised, saccus large. Valva leaf like narrow at both ends; costa narrow; saccus well differentiated; harpe marked by spine; curved dorsal. Transtilla triangular; aedeagus quite narrow and slender, with anterior tip rounded; vesica armed with a well sclerotised cornutus throughout its length. 150 J. Chem. Bio. Phy. Sci. Sec. B, November 2016 – January 2017; Vol.7, No.1;000-000 Studies … Jagbir Singh et al. Abbrevations UN uncus, VLV valva, TEG tegument, JX juxta, VIN vinculum, VES vesica, AED aedeagus.Wing Exapanse- 19mm Male; Material examined- Gangtok (Sikkim), 6.ix.13- 2♂♂. 151 J. Chem. Bio. Phy. Sci. Sec. B, November 2016 – January 2017; Vol.7, No.1;000-000 Studies … Jagbir Singh et al. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authos are highly thankful to the Forest Department of the state for providing necessary facilities during collection surveys and Head, Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala for providing necessary laboratory facilities. REFERENCES 1. C.Stoll in Cramer, P. De uitlandschekapellen, voorkomende in de driewaereld-deelen Asia, Africa en America, 1781, 1781: 152. 2. M. A.Guenée. Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Species Général des Lépidoptères. Roret, Paris. 1854, 444. 3. G.F.Hampson, Fauna of British India, Moths including Ceylon and Burma, Taylor and Francis Ltd., London,1896, 4,594. 4. A,Klima, Lepidopterorum Catalogus. Pyralididae,: Subfamily Pyraustinae. Gravenhage, 1939, 89 & 94, 384. 5. M.Nuss, et al 2016. www.pyraloidea.org 6. R.Fry, P. Wearing, The Ama. Entomol, 1996, 24: 1-60. 7. E.C. Zimmerman, Microlepidoptera Insects of Hawaii. Univ. Press Hawaii Honolulu, 1978, 9: 1903. 8. G.S.Robinson, Entomol. Gaz., 1976, 27: 127-132. 9. A.B.Klots, Lepidoptera in “Taxonomists’s glossary of genitalia in Insects” (Ed. S.L. Tuxen). Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1970, 115-130. *Corresponding author: Harsimran Singh Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences,Punjabi University, Patiala ([email protected]) On line publication Date: 25.12.2016 152 J. Chem. Bio. Phy. Sci. Sec. B, November 2016 – January 2017; Vol.7, No.1;000-000 .