Moth (Lepidoptera) Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir State

The chapter provides a taxonomic overview of moths (Lepidoptera) of Jammu and Kashmir State. Based on the critical review of scientific literature, museum collections, and data generated from the field surveys since 2002, moth diversity of the State is represented by 461 species belonging to 23 families classified under 12 superfamilies. Noctuoidea (with 283 species) is the most diverse superfamily followed by Tortricoidea (74 spp.), Bombycoidea (50 spp.), and Geometroidea (29 spp.). Erebidae (with 152 species) is the most diverse family followed by Noctuidae (109 spp.), Tortricidae (74 spp.), Sphingidae (38 spp.), and Geometridae (29 spp.). The most diverse genera include Cyana (16 species), Mythimna (7 spp.), and Callopistria, Choristoneura, Euxoa, and Lyclene (6 spp. each). Jammu is the most moth speciose region with 392 species followed by Kashmir (332 spp.) and Ladakh region (136 spp.). Some of the species are reported to act as pests, causing considerable damage to major crops. The present study will provide baseline data and facilitate further research on this important group of insects in this Himalayan region.