Rediscovery of the gypsy moth Lymantria kanara Collenette, 1951 (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae) from Kerala, India, after 73 years and its taxonomic redescription

Authors

  • P.K. Adarsh Entomo Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, Christ College (Affiliated to University of Calicut), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala 680125, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4913-9540
  • Abhilash Peter Entomo Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, Christ College (Affiliated to University of Calicut), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala 680125, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2240-1783

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9360.17.3.26727-26730

Keywords:

Agricultural crops, bipectinate antenna, broad sacculus, light trap, Lymantriinae, Lymantriini, male genitalia, Palakkad, rare species, Singappara forest, southern India

Abstract

Lymantria kanara Collenette of family Erebidae, is a rare taxon considered to be endemic to southern India. Here we provide information on the recently rediscovered Lymantria kanara from Kerala, India, after 73 years hiatus. Prior to this study, all published research on this taxon was based on catalogues or the type specimens housed in museums with scanty descriptions. Hence, a detailed taxonomic description of adult male and male genitalia features is provided in this study.

Author Biographies

P.K. Adarsh, Entomo Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, Christ College (Affiliated to University of Calicut), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala 680125, India.

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Abhilash Peter, Entomo Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, Christ College (Affiliated to University of Calicut), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala 680125, India.

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References

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Published

26-03-2025

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2025 P.K. Adarsh, Abhilash Peter

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