ACHARYA NARENDRA DEV COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

(SESSION 2024-25)

Topic: Field study of the insect diversity

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Prof. Sarita Kumar Arvind Singh
Dept. of Zoology (241017)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Would like to express my gra tude to my Non-Chordates Teacher
Prof. Sarita Kumar as she provided me with valuable advice and
sugges ons to improve my experiment and assignment.

I am thankful to my principal Dr. Ravi Toteja for providing me with

me the resources and facili es needed for my experiment. Their
encouragement and mo va on pushed me to work hard and strive
for the excellence.
I am grateful to my parents and the almighty god for providing
energy to peruse these tasks for their unwavering support
throughout this Field Study project.
 1. Graphium doson
Graphium doson, the common jay, is a black,
tropical papilionid (swallowtail) butterfly with
pale blue semi-transparent central wing bands
that are formed by large spots. There is a
marginal series of smaller spots. The underside
of wings is brown with markings similar to
upper side but whitish in colour. The sexes look
alike. The species was first described by father
and son entomologists Cajetan and Rudolf
Felder.

It is widespread and common throughout Southeast Asia, including lower elevations in Sri
Lanka and southern India, EasternGhats, Satpuras, Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh, and
the Himalayan foothills. The species is however scarce in southern Honshū, Japan.

Habitat: It is common in thick, riparian, moist, deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen

forests.

Behaviour The common jay is active throughout the day and constantly on the move; it rarely
settles down. Its flight is swift and straight. When feeding from flowers, it never settles down
and keeps its wings vibrating. The males are seen mud-puddling, often in tight groups.

Life cycle

Eggs: The spherical and pale-yellow eggs are laid singly on the underside of leaves.

Larva: The caterpillar is somewhat spindle shaped. The grown caterpillars have two forms,
dark brown or grassy green. There are spines on the fourth segment which are short, conical
and blue centred surrounded by lemon yellow and then black rings. The osmeterium is pale
bluish green. It is extruded only reluctantly.

Pupa: The pupa is pale green with a dark purplish median line from the head to the thoracic
horn and a yellow line from the tip of the horn to the cremaster.
2. Woodlouse
Woodlouse (Armadillidiidae & Other
Families)

General Information
 Woodlice are small crustaceans belonging to
the order Isopoda.
 Unlike insects, they are more closely related
to crabs and lobsters.
 They are also called pill bugs, sow bugs, or
roly-polies, depending on the species.

Behavior
1. Nocturnal & Moisture-Loving
o They are most active at night to avoid
dehydration and predators.
o Prefer damp, dark places like under logs, stones, and leaf litter.
2. Defense Mechanisms
o Some species, like Armadillidium spp., can roll into a ball (a behavior called
conglobation) for protection.
o Others rely on camouflage to blend into their surroundings.
3. Feeding Habits
o They are detritivores, meaning they eat decaying plant matter, fungi, and
organic debris.
o Help decompose organic material, improving soil health.

Habitat
 Found worldwide, especially in humid environments.
 Common in forests, gardens, grasslands, and urban areas.
 They live under rocks, logs, bark, or moist soil.
 Some species even survive in caves or coastal areas.

Life Cycle
Woodlice go through direct development (no metamorphosis like insects).
1. Egg Stage
o Female carries eggs in a special pouch called the marsupium.
o Eggs hatch into tiny, white juveniles inside the pouch.
2. Juvenile Stage
o Hatchlings resemble miniature adults but have fewer body segments.
o They molt multiple times to grow.
3. Adult Stage
 o Fully developed adults continue molting throughout their lives.
o Lifespan: 1-3 years, depending on species and environment.

Fun Facts
 They breathe through gills, requiring moisture to survive.
 Some species can drink water through their rear ends!
 Unlike insects, they don’t have a waxy exoskeleton, making them vulnerable to drying
out.

3. Wasp Moth
A wasp moth is a type of moth that mimics the
appearance of a wasp, usually as a defense mechanism
against predators. These moths belong to the
subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths) within the family
Erebidae. Some well-known species include:
 Amata spp. (e.g., Amata huebneri)
 Syntomeida epilais (Oleander moth)
 Cressida cressida (Clearwing Swallowtail mimic)
Key Features:
 Bright colors: Many have black bodies with yellow,
orange, red, or white markings.
 Transparent or scaled wings: Some have clear wings
that enhance their wasp-like appearance.
 Mimicry: They often resemble wasps or bees,
scaring off predators.
 Daytime activity: Unlike most moths, many wasp
moths are diurnal (active during the day).
Wasp Moth: Behavior & Habitat
Behavior
1. Mimicry & Defense
o Wasp moths mimic wasps to avoid predators like birds and lizards.
o Despite their appearance, they are harmless and lack a wasp’s sting.
2. Diurnal Activity
o Unlike most moths, many wasp moths are active during the day (diurnal).
o Their bright colors warn predators that they might be toxic.
3. Flight & Movement
o They have a fast, jerky flight that resembles a wasp’s flight pattern.
o Some species hover briefly before landing, increasing their wasp-like illusion.
4. Mating & Reproduction
o Males often release pheromones to attract females.
o After mating, females lay eggs on host plants where larvae (caterpillars) will
feed.
Habitat
1. Tropical & Subtropical Regions
o Commonly found in forests, grasslands, and gardens in warm climates.
o Particularly abundant in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central & South America.
2. Host Plants
o Caterpillars feed on plants like oleander, figs, and vines.
 o Some species consume toxic plants, making them unpalatable to predators.
3. Urban & Agricultural Areas
o Some wasp moths adapt well to gardens and farms, where they feed on
ornamental or crop plants.

Life Cycle of a Wasp Moth

Wasp moths go through complete metamorphosis, meaning they have four distinct stages:
1. Egg Stage
 Female moths lay small, round eggs on the underside of host plant leaves.
 Eggs hatch in a few days (varies by species and environment).
2. Larva (Caterpillar) Stage
 Caterpillars emerge and start feeding on the host plant.
 Some species absorb toxins from plants, making them distasteful to predators.
 Caterpillars grow rapidly, molting several times before pupating.
 Many have bright warning colors (black, orange, or yellow).
3. Pupa (Chrysalis) Stage
 After full growth, the caterpillar forms a cocoon or pupa, often on leaves, stems, or in
hidden spots.
 Inside, it undergoes transformation into an adult moth.
 This stage can last from days to weeks, depending on species and climate.
4. Adult (Moth) Stage
 The adult emerges from the pupa with fully developed wings.
 It rests for a while as its wings dry and harden before flying.
 Adults mainly focus on mating and reproduction.
 Some species live for just a few days, while others may survive for a couple of weeks.

4. Moth
General Details
 Moths belong to the order Lepidoptera, just
like butterflies.
 There are over 160,000 species of moths
worldwide.
 Most are nocturnal, but some (like wasp
moths) are active during the day.
 They vary in size from tiny micro-moths to
large species like the Atlas moth (one of the
largest insects in the world).

Behavior
1. Nocturnal Activity
o Most moths are active at night and attracted to light (a phenomenon called
phototaxis).
o Some species, like hummingbird moths, are active during the day.
2. Feeding
o Adult moths mainly drink nectar using their proboscis (a long tube-like
mouthpart).
o Some species do not eat at all as adults and live only to reproduce.
3. Defense Mechanisms
o Many moths use camouflage to blend into their environment.
o Some have bright colors or mimicry to warn predators (e.g., tiger moths).
o Certain moths, like silk moths, release chemicals to deter predators.
4. Reproduction
o Moths use pheromones (chemical signals) to attract mates.
o Mating occurs at night, and females lay eggs on suitable host plants.

Habitat
 Moths are found worldwide, from forests and deserts to urban areas.
 They live in a variety of ecosystems, including:
o Forests (many moths feed on tree leaves)
o Grasslands (caterpillars feed on wild plants)
o Gardens & Farms (some species are pests, like the cabbage moth)
o Tropical Regions (many colorful moths thrive in warm, humid areas)
 Some species migrate, like the bogong moth in Australia.

Life Cycle (Complete Metamorphosis)

Moths go through four stages in their life cycle:
1. Egg Stage
o Female moths lay hundreds of eggs on leaves, stems, or hidden surfaces.
o Eggs hatch within a few days to weeks.
2. Larva (Caterpillar) Stage
o The caterpillar (larva) is the feeding stage.
o It molts several times as it grows.
o Some caterpillars are pests (e.g., corn earworm, gypsy moth caterpillars).
3. Pupa (Chrysalis/Cocoon) Stage
o The caterpillar forms a cocoon or chrysalis.
o Inside, it undergoes metamorphosis into an adult moth.
o This stage can last from days to months (some overwinter as pupae).
4. Adult Moth Stage
o Once fully developed, the adult moth emerges.
o Its main purpose is reproduction.
o Some live only a few days, while others (like the luna moth) can survive for
weeks.
 5. Bombyx Mori (Silkworm)
Bombyx mori, commonly known as the silkworm,
is a domesticated moth species best known for
producing silk. Here are some key details about it:
Overview
 Scientific Name: Bombyx mori
 Common Name: Silkworm
 Family: Bombycidae
 Order: Lepidoptera

Life Cycle
1. Egg → Laid by an adult female moth
2. Larva (Caterpillar) → This stage produces
silk by spinning a cocoon
3. Pupa → Develops inside the cocoon
4. Adult Moth → Emerges but cannot fly due
to domestication
Silk Production
 Silkworms spin their cocoons using a protein called fibroin, secreted from their silk
glands.
 The cocoon is boiled to extract the silk threads, which are then spun into fabric.
Domestication
 Bombyx mori has been domesticated for over 5,000 years, primarily in China, India,
and Japan.
 It depends entirely on humans for survival and cannot live in the wild.

6. House Fly
The housefly (Musca domestica) is one of the
most common and widely distributed insects
in the world. Here are some key details about
it:
Overview
 Scientific Name: Musca domestica
 Common Name: Housefly
 Family: Muscidae
 Order: Diptera (flies)
Physical Characteristics
 Size: About 6–7 mm long
 Colour: Grayish with four dark stripes
on the thorax
 Eyes: Large, red, and compound,
providing a wide field of vision
 Wings: One pair of functional wings; hindwings reduced to small structures called
halteres, which help with balance

Life Cycle (Complete Metamorphosis)

1. Egg → Laid in decaying organic matter (e.g., garbage, manure)
2. Larva (Maggot) → Feeds on decomposing material
 3. Pupa → Develops inside a protective case
4. Adult → Emerges fully grown and starts the cycle again

Behaviour & Habitat

 Common in homes, garbage dumps, animal farms, and food processing areas
 Feeds on organic matter, including rotting food and feces.
 Can fly up to 6 miles (10 km) per day

Impact on Humans
 Health Risks: Houseflies carry and spread diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and
food poisoning by contaminating food
 Control Methods:
o Proper waste disposal
o Using fly traps or insecticides
o Keeping food covered

7. Wasp
Wasps are flying insects that belong to the order
Hymenoptera, the same group as bees and ants. They play
an important role in ecosystems as both predators and
pollinators.
Key Characteristics
 Scientific Order: Hymenoptera
 Suborder: Apocrita
 Body Structure: Slender body with a narrow
"waist" (petiole)
 Wings: Two pairs of membranous wings
 Color: Often black and yellow, but some species are
metallic blue, red, or brown
 Stinger: Some wasps can sting multiple times
(unlike honeybees)
Types of Wasps
Wasps are broadly categorized into two groups:
1. Social Wasps (e.g., yellowjackets, hornets)
o Live in colonies with thousands of individuals
o Have a queen that lays eggs and worker wasps that maintain the nest
o Build paper nests from chewed wood pulp
o Can be aggressive if disturbed
2. Solitary Wasps (e.g., mud daubers, spider wasps)
o Do not live in colonies
o Females build individual nests and lay eggs inside paralyzed prey (like spiders
or caterpillars)
o Less likely to sting humans
Life Cycle (Complete Metamorphosis)
1. Egg → Laid in a nest or inside a host insect
 2. Larva → Feeds on provided food (often insects or nectar)
3. Pupa → Develops inside a cocoon
4. Adult → Emerges and begins hunting, pollinating, or reproducing
Role in Nature
 Pollination: Some wasps help pollinate flowers, though they are less efficient than bees
 Pest Control: Many wasps hunt insects like caterpillars and aphids, helping control pest
populations
 Decomposers: Some wasps scavenge on dead insects and decaying matter
Wasp Stings
 Most wasps sting only in self-defense
 Unlike honeybees, wasps can sting multiple times
 Some people are allergic to wasp venom, which can cause severe reactions
(anaphylaxis)