Contributions to the life history, Morphology, Chaetotaxy and Host-plants of Creatonotos transiens (Walker, 1855) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from Himachal Pradesh, India
TL;DR
The findings provide baseline information on the immature morphology, developmental biology, host-plant relationships and chaetotaxy of C. transiens (Walker, 1855) that is valuable for accurate identification of immature stages, morpho-taxonomic studies, understanding host associations, and supporting future systematic and phylogenetic investigations of Lepidoptera.
Abstract
This study investigated the life-history characteristics, host-plant associations, immature-stage morphology, and larval chaetotaxy of the Clouded Tiger Moth, Creatonotos transiens (Walker, 1855), from different localities in the District of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Surveys were conducted regularly from April 2019 to October 2024, alongside laboratory rearing. The egg masses of this tiger moth were collected and reared under controlled conditions to document developmental stages, duration, feeding and pupation behaviour and morphological characteristics of its immature stages on apple tree, Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkhausen, 1803 and Bitter Dock Weed, Rumex obtusifolius Linnaeus, 1753. The eggs were spherical and creamish-white, deposited in masses of 50-70, with an incubation period of 4-5 days. The larvae underwent six moults and seven instars, with a total larval period of 27-50 days. It completed its life cycle in 42-70 days, including an 11-15 day pupal period. Distinct morphological changes in colouration, body markings, tubercles and setal development were observed across successive larval instars. The species exhibited polyphagous feeding behaviour and successfully reared on apple and bitter dock under laboratory conditions. Detailed chaetotaxic examination of the final instar revealed characteristic arrangements of setal groups on the head, thoracic, and abdominal segments, together with uniordinal mesoseries of 20-25 crochets on the abdominal pro-legs. The findings provide baseline information on the immature morphology, developmental biology, host-plant relationships and chaetotaxy of C. transiens (Walker, 1855). Such information is valuable for accurate identification of immature stages, morpho-taxonomic studies, understanding host associations, and supporting future systematic and phylogenetic investigations of Lepidoptera.