9/29/2022

BY RAJAS SHRIKOLI:2020420377
 ZOOLOGY EXCURSION REPORT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Every work is successful due to the effort of many people who give their
valuable time and advice. I sincerely appreciate the inspiration; support and
guidance of all those people who have been instrumental in making this report
a success.
I am very grateful to our department of zoology. I would like to express
my sincere thanks to my field team teacher Dr. Clara ma’am and teaching staff
of Zoology Department for helping me in identification of species. I would like
to thank our respected HOD (Dr. Sudesh Rathod) sir for arranging this field trip.
Last but not the least I place a deep sense of gratitude to my classmates and
my friends who have been constant source of inspiration throughout this
experience.
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Table of Contents
❖ COVER PAGE
❖ CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
❖ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVES
3. METHODOLOGY AND OVERVIEW
4. OBSERVATION
• TABLE
• OBSERVED SPECIMENS
5. CONCLUSION
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INTRODUCTION: -
As per the requirement of B.Sc. Third year course in zoology practical, one day
trip to our own college garden was arranged. The main purpose of this short
excursion was to survey invertebrates (mostly butterflies and moths) diversity
along with habit, habitat, identification and study of ecological values of
invertebrates over there.
Our college campus has a large ground with grass, large trees and many plants.
The entirety of trees and shrubs is concentrated around the periphery of our
campus. So, we can find different types of specimens for observation and
study.
This excursion was also important as it was part of the 'Big Butterfly Month'. It
is a celebration of butterflies aimed at conducting a nationwide citizen science
survey to help us assess the health of our environment. A first of its kind event
was launched on 5th September 2020 and as a part of this initiative we
decided to survey the butterflies in our campus.

Objectives: -
The major objectives of our report relating the field trip are highlighted below:
• Objective 1. The report is prepared to make the study of diversity found in
invertebrates(butterflies) of the area.
• Objective 2. To track the likelihood of finding some new species.
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METHODOLOGY AND OVERVIEW: -
Our field trip began at 9.30 a.m. in the morning. The weather was a bit cloudy
in the morning but overtime it became sunny.
The reason this survey was conducted in the morning is because butterflies are
primarily diurnal, flying in the daytime. Moths are generally nocturnal, flying at
night. So, the chances of spotting a moth were slim.
We quickly split into groups so as to cover more areas at the same time while
observing and capturing images under the guidance of our professors and Dr.
Clara ma'am. I got to know a lot of interesting things about butterflies that I
didn't know before such as how to differentiate between a butterfly and a
moth but now I know better.
At the beginning of the path covered with shrubs and bushes I noticed a lot of
moth and butterfly pupa were concerned only on cryptogams (non-flowering
plants) and not on flowering plants. Later as I moved ahead, I spotted various
butterfly species such as (striped tiger, plain tiger and blue tiger). I had the
most trouble getting a decent picture of Danaid Eggfly as it always flew
opposite to where I was when I tried to approach it. I observed that the
butterflies flew at a specific height (not too far from the ground and not too
high), it’s as if they were trying to avoid the lizards and other reptiles on the
ground and the avian predators in the air. I also remember feeling
embarrassed as I mistook a true crane fly for a wasp. We also passed by a
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis plant (host plant. Dr. Clara ma'am advised us to
plant this in a pot and remove the dried petals after inflorescence as it an
invasive species and spreads easily and does not allow the growth of nearby
native species. Next, I saw a hairy moth caterpillar (Trabala vishnou) and was
advised not to touch it but I couldn't help go near it to capture a good picture.
As our excursion was coming to an end, I got to capture a perfect picture of a
grey pansy and I have never felt so satisfied before. Throughout this survey we
were accompanied by not only butterflies but a few moth, various insects such
as well dragonflies which also act as a biological indicator, lizards, frogs, birds
and their sweet tunes (I am not referring to crows). The excursion ended at 11
a.m. with some words of appreciation and advice from our teachers.
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OBSERVATION: -
During the study period many species were recorded. Among them the
species which we identified is listed below in table.
PHYLUM SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
Arthropoda Danaus genutia Striped tiger
Arthropoda Junonia iphita Chocolate pansy
Arthropoda Micronia aculeata Spotted swallowtail
Arthropoda Danaus chrysippus Plain tiger
Arthropoda Danaus plexippus White wanderer
Arthropoda Tirumala limniace Blue tiger
Arthropoda Junonia almana Peacock pansy
Arthropoda Junonia atlites Grey pansy
Arthropoda Junonia lemonias Lemon pansy
Arthropoda Tholymis tillarga Cloud wing dragonfly
Arthropoda Tylecida nyseus Red pierrot
Arthropoda Elymnias hypermnestra Common Palm fly
Arthropoda Prosapia bicincta Spittle bug
Arthropoda Hypolimnas misippus Danaid eggfly
Arthropoda Ariadne merione Caster caterpillar
Arthropoda Hasora badra Common awl
Arthropoda Leptonsia nina Psyche
Arthropoda Euploea core Common crow
Arthropoda Moduza procris Commander butterfly
Arachnida Oxopes salticus Lynx spider
Arthropoda Junonia almana Orange pansy
Arthropoda Libellula vibrans Blue skimmer dragonfly
Arthropoda Araidne meriope Spitting bug
Arthropoda Ariadne merione Common castor
Arthropoda Junonia orithya Pansy caterpillar
Arthropoda Neptis jumbah Chestnut sailor
Arthropoda Crocothemis cervilia Scarlet skimmer
Chordata Carotes versicolor Garden lizard
Arachnida Telamonia dimidata Jumper spider
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OBSERVED SPECIES
Please note that most of the characters and behaviors mentioned in the
description are not observed and I had to rely on the internet and the
‘Butterflies of India’ book by the author ‘ISSAC KHEMIKAR’ for identification
and additional information.

1) Scarlet Skimmer:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Odonata
❖ Infraorder: Anisoptera
❖ Family: Libellulidae
❖ Genus: Crocothemis
❖ Species: C. servilia
Recently, a rare biological phenomenon i.e., Gynandromorphism has been
spotted in a dragonfly, the scarlet skimmer which is distributed in Southeast
Asia.The dragonfly had both male and female characteristics.
Gynandromorphism is a characteristic of an organism that contains both male
and female tissues and characteristics. Such organisms are also called
gynandromorphs. The term is derived from the Greek words (gyne = woman;
aner = man and morphe = form). The phenomenon has been documented in
birds, crustaceans and butterflies.
Reason:
Gynandromorphs are usually born due genetic aberration.
Genetic aberrations are chromosomal disorder or mutation which is due to a
missing, extra, or irregular portion of chromosomal DNA.
Importance of the Study of gynandromorphism:
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It helps in finding the genetic diversity in related species which further
contributes to the conservation and preservation.
It also aids in discovery of disease and other changes in the specific species due
to factors like climate change and ecological evolutions.
Further, the study of gynandromorphs could offer clues as to why some human
diseases strike one gender more than the other.
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2) Chestnut-streaked sailor:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Lepidoptera
❖ Family: Nymphalidae
❖ Genus: Neptis
❖ Species: N. jumbah

Larval Host Plants: Erythrina indica, Xylia dolabriformis, Pongamia

glabra, Thespesia populeana, Hibiscus rosa-chinensis, Grewia spp. etc.
Male somewhat resembles ''Neptis columella'', but differs as follows:— Upper
side fuliginous black, the interspaces between the veins deeper black, very
conspicuous in certain lights, particularly so between the sub basal and
postdiscal markings on the hind wing; the white markings suffused with very
pale bluish green; the posterior two spots of the discal series on the fore wing
subequal; the postdiscal macular band on the hind wing with a tendency to
obsolescence, varying from a narrow series of white lunules to a somewhat
diffuse transverse narrow pale band. On the underside the ground-colour is
paler than in ''N. columella'', the interspaces between the veins conspicuously
much darker; the postdiscal and subterminal markings on both fore and hind
wings diffuse and very ill-defined. ''N. jumbah'' can also be recognized by the
discal transverse series of comparatively large dark brown spots.
In the female the spots on the fore wing and the sub basal band on the hind
wing are comparatively broader than they are in the male; in the dry-season
form of both sexes, as compared with the wet-season form, often
conspicuously broader. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen as in N.
columella.
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3) Peacock pansy:
Scientific classification:

❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Lepidoptera
❖ Family: Nymphalidae
❖ Genus: Junonia
❖ Species: J. alman
Larval Host Plants: Hygrophila auriculata, Barleria sp., Acanthus sp., Gloxinia sp.
Above, the wings are rich yellowish brown with darker brown edges at both
termen and costal margins. On each of the forewings, there are four distinct
costal bars, the outermost three of which are filled with darker shadings. There
is a prominent ``peacock'' eye-spot in space 2 near the tornal area, and a lesser
one in space 5. On each hindwing, a much larger and more prominent eye-spot
is featured in spaces 5-6 near the apex.
Underneath, the wings are duller and the costal bars are filled with paler
shadings instead. Compared to those on the upper side, the ocelli are smaller
and, on the hindwing, there is an additional ocellus in space 2, and the spot in
spaces 5-6 appears to be a conjoined pair. Each of the fore- and hindwings has
a dark stripe traversing from the costa to the dorsum.
It flies in the usual gliding manner of the Junonia spp. and typically several
individuals can be seen together in one location. Under sunny condition, they
have a habit of opening their wings wide to sunbathe while resting on a perch.
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4) Lappet Moth Caterpillar:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Lepidoptera
❖ Family: Lasiocampidae
❖ Genus: Trabala
❖ Species: T. vishnou
The larva has a yellow head spotted with red and its body colour is brownish
grey with long lateral tufts on each somite. First somite is black and grey, other
somites are grey. There are paired dorsal and lateral black spots on each
somite, from which spring long black hairs. Spots on the thoracic somites are
coalescing. Instead of usual-coloured caterpillars, there are two morphs which
can be found. Some larvae are blackish with a broad white dorsal stripe, the
anterior tufts are reddish brown. The other morph is reddish with blue lateral
spots. However, the cocoon is ochreous in all morphs with short black hairs
projecting from it, which are intensely irritating.
Larvae have been reared on Populus species and also feed on castor, jamun,
pomegranate, rose, and sandalwood plants. The braconid wasp, Cotesia
trabalae is a known parasitoid of the moth.
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5) True crane fly:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Diptera
❖ Suborder: Nematocera
❖ Infraorder: Tipulomorpha
❖ Superfamily: Tipuloidea
❖ Family: Tipulidae
❖ Subfamily: Ctenophorinae
❖ Genus: Pselliophora

Crane fly mimics a paper wasp but it is harmless. This type of crane flies are
generally seen in Asian countries. The larvae feed on decaying matter.

There is an enduring urban legend that crane flies are the most
venomous insects in the world, but have no ability to administer the
venom; this is not true. The myth likely arose due to their being
confused with the cellar spider and although the arachnid does possess
venom, it is not especially potent.

Despite widely held beliefs that adult crane flies (or "mosquito hawks") prey on
mosquito populations, the adult crane fly is anatomically incapable of killing or
consuming other insects. Although the adults of some species may feed on
nectar, the adults of many species have such short lifespans that they do not
eat at all.
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5) Danaid eggfly:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Lepidoptera
❖ Family: Nymphalidae
❖ Genus: Hypolimnas
❖ Species: H. misippus

Larval Host Plants: Portulaca oleracea, Asystacia Lawiana, Abelmoschus

sp., Barleria cristata., Hibiscus sp. Etc
The Danaid Eggfly butterfly is Nature’s great pretender. With attack-based
defenses practically absent in butterflies, the Danaid Eggfly uses other tactics
to avoid being eaten. I realized that not being able to see females was because
they have a greater responsibility towards the survival of their species, while
the male’s role is restricted to mating. For this reason, the Danaid Eggfly
(Hypolimnas misippus) an evolutionary adaptation. The females mimic (in
appearance) the similar-sized Plain Tiger, a toxic butterfly with the toxic
Milkweed as its host plant.
The vibrant colours of the Plain Tiger advertise its unpalatable nature to
predators around, so the Danaid female sends out the same signal, regardless
of it not being toxic. This mimicking is called Batesian Mimicry, named after an
English Naturalist, Henry Walter Bates for his work on butterflies. To aid this
behaviour, the females also sometimes tend to move with plain tiger
butterflies. There are very minute differences in appearance of the two
butterflies. The males in this species are elegant to look at with the upper side
black with large white oval discs on both wings and yellowish-brown
undersides.
They tend to fly higher and faster than the females, who prefer being close to
the ground. When disturbed, the males quickly gain height to reach a tree
branch, whereas females tend to move to nearby bushes.
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6) Common Awl:
Scientific classification:
❖ Kingdom: Animalia
❖ Phylum: Arthropoda
❖ Class: Insecta
❖ Order: Lepidoptera
❖ Family: Hesperiidae
❖ Genus: Hasora
❖ Species: H. badra
Larval Host Plants: Derris uliginosa.
Adults are rather large in size with pointed forewing apex and markedly lobate
hindwings. Above, the wings are dark brown. In the male, the wings are
typically unmarked or with faint subapical spots. In contrast, the female has
three pale yellowish subapical spots, large pale yellow hyaline spots in the cells
and in spaces 2 and 3 on the forewing Wings bases of the female are ochreous.
Below, both sexes are brown and often washed with purple, more so in
pristine specimens. The forewing is pale yellowish to whitish at dorsum
entering middle of space 2. On the hindwing, there is a small white roundish
spot in the cell and an elongated white spot in the subdorsal area. The spots on
the forewing upper side correspond to those on the underside.
Adults are rarely seen likely due to its crepuscular nature. In contrast, the larval
stages are rather readily found on various Derris species at multiple locations.
The adults were usually sighted in the vicinity of its larval food plants, typically
ovipositing females. The usual perching site is on the underside of a leaf or
other plant parts, resulting in photographs of "upside-down" adults being the
most common takes of this species.
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SCARLET SKIMMER STREAKED SAILOR PEACOCK PANSY

COMMON CASTOR
GREY PANSY CATERPILLAR
LAPPET MOTH
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COMMON
LYNX SPIDER COMMON AWL
CASTOR

TRUE CRANE FLY DANAID EGGFLY JUMPER SPIDER

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SPOTTED COMMON
GRAM BLUE
SWALLOWTAIL PALMFLY

PANSY
RED PIERROT CATERPILLAR
LEMON PANSY
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CONCLUSION: -
We successfully identified various arthropods mainly butterflies and their larval
/ immature stages.
Insects play a significant role in our daily life. Being at the bottom of the food
chain is not easy but that does not mean they are less important. Through this
survey I understood their importance because sometimes even I ponder about
it; like. What if the insect population suddenly disappear? The thought is scary
I know because we will soon follow after. We are in part responsible for this. I
know I am. The guilt does not force me to fight for them at my level but my
appreciation regarding them does. We share a place with them on this planet. I
mean, for the first time in my life I saw a butterfly egg and pupa and I
wondered how could such a magnificent creature emerge from such a tiny
thing. The process is both simple yet complex and we should ought to
understand it and preserve it. We can help their conservation by conducting
more such informative and joyful excursion which will lead to understanding
them better.
Throughout this excursion I remember feeling anxious, embarrassed, happy,
frustrated and love having experienced this.