Arun P. Singh

Abstract

Two sampling surveys during November 2007 and June 2008 in Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas, located in the West Himalayan foothills, revealed the occurrence of 118 species of butterflies. Amongst these were seven protected species under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 including some rarities like the Brown Onyx, H. viola, Gaudy Baron, Euthalia lubentina; Great Swift, Peliopidas assamensis and Large-banded Swift, P. sinensis. Besides, 12 species from adjoining 'temperate' forests migrated down during winter to this 'deciduous' habitat. Species similarity of Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary was determined to be more similar to New Forest, Dehra Dun located at the base of the Himalayan foothills than Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary located nearby on the Shiwalik ranges. High point diversity and presence of rare species of conservation priority all make this Sanctuary a unique habitat in the region.

Keywords

Butterflies, Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh

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Arun P. Singh , R. S. Bhandari

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No abstract

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Arun P. Singh , R. S. Bhandari

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During a three year survey (July , 2000 - August , 2003) , 183 species of butterflies (representing 128 genera , 9 sub-families and 5 families) were recorded from 10 sites (4 km² each) in Dehra Dun valley which represents the tropical moist deciduous Sal , Shorea robusta forest (TMDSF) zone of the lower Western Himalayas. Amongst these 46 species recorded are new records for Dehra Dun valley. Twenty-six species found here have geographical distribution restricted to the Himalayas and mountains of North-East India and Myanmar in the Indian Sub-Continent. Twenty-five butterfly species of Dehra Dun valley are 'protected' under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The species diversity of butterflies (July , 2000 - July , 2001) peaked in the valley during late April (spring) - early May (summer) which was a few weeks earlier than known to be in the hills (2000 m) of the Western Himalayas. This was followed by a slightly greater second peak during late October (post-monsoon) - early November (autumn) which was a few weeks later as known from the adjoining hills. Specific threats to butterfly habitats in TMDSF are discussed. A complete annotated list of 211 species recorded from the valley is also given.

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Arun P. Singh

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As a preliminary and initial assessment, the relative natural resistance/susceptibility of 38 newly introduced Populus deltoides clones in India from 3 regions [Eastern Gulf (Mississippi, Alabama); East Central (Tennessee) and South Atlantic (North Carolina, South Carolina)] of U.S.A. was evaluated against its prime insect defoliator, Clostera cupreata. Evaluation was done on the basis of the differences in the percent leaf area consumed by the pest for the entire larval period on different clones which varied significantly (P<0.05).The ranking of clones for selection was done in the decreasing order of resistance with clones having lower values for the percent leaf area eaten lying at the 'resistant end' of the table and those having greater leaf area eaten lying at the other extreme (susceptible end) of this table. In general, clones from 'East Central' region showed a most resistant character than clones from 'Eastern Gulf' or 'South Atlantic' regions. Clones 14-15-6-1 (Mississippi); 21-14-4-5 (Mississippi); 14-15-6-5 (Mississippi); 38-30-3-3 (Tennessee); 11-11-15-5 (Mississippi); 14-15-6-3 (Mississippi) and 101-24- 1-3 (South Carolina) which were the most resistant clones amongst the 39 clones, were also found to be superior to test Clone G-48 (Texas) (the standard and most widely planted clone in Northern India) in terms of natural resistance and hence are promising candidate clones for future selection.

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Arun P. Singh , Mukhtar Ahmad

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Seasonal variation in adult longevity of Aleoides percurrens Lyle was studied with respect to ambient temperature and relative humidity from April to early December for 2 years (1991- 1992) at Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun (78°01' N latitude 77° 59' E longitude), India. Longevity was studied in presence of food (honey-sugar solution) and in the absence of host .larvae. Parasitoid longevity peaked in September (12.8 ± 2.8 days) when mean relative humidity was 81.0 ± 2.1% (69-93%) and mean temperature was 24.2 ± 2.7°C (19.2-31.3°C). Longevity was shortest in April (3.0±1.0days) when the mean relative humidity was 54.5±5.1% (36-75%) and mean temperature was 21.3±2.3°C (10.7-32.0°C). A high significant and positive correlation (r = 0.6604) was established between relative humidity and adult longevity. The linear and square relationships established are given by the expressions [Longevity = -7.9127 + 0.22049 (RH), R² = 0.4361, P2), R² = 0.4607, P < 0.001, respectively]. However the correlation between ambient temperature and adult longevity was non-significant (r = 0.0174).

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Arun P. Singh , K.P. Singh

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Species Richness, Shannon Diversity and Pielou's Evenness indices of insects were studied seasonally in two natural forest stands (0.25 ha each) of West Himalayan Spruce, Picea smithiana and Silver Fir, Abies pindrow, at Narkanda (2,550 m) in Himachal Pradesh, for 4 successive years. A total of 40 species on insects (31 species on P. smithiana and 16 species on A. pindrow) were recorded on both the trees. Shannon Diversity and Pielou's Evenness indices both had greater values on P. smithiana as compared to A. pindrow for insects species in general. Shannon Diversity index peaked in May-June and then steadily declined to a minimum in October-November, on both the tree species. Amongst the 8 feeding groups found on P. smithiana, seasonal Shannon Diversity index and Species Richness of predators, defoliators, sap-suckers, sap-wood borers, rotten-wood borers, were synchronized and peaked in May-June. These two indices were also synchronized for cone-borers and parasitoids, but with peaks during October-November on Spruce. Similarly on A. pindrow only sap-suckers, defoliators and rotten wood borers were most prominent groups and these 2 indices for them were also synchronized in every season but peaked in August-September. One 'rare' insect species, Cucujus bicolor was also found on P. smithiana, in these forests.

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Arun P. Singh

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Pollination potential of different families of insects, visiting Paulownia fortunie (Scrophulariaceae) flowers nototribically for nectar feeding, was determined for the three time periods (forenoon, afternoon and evening) of the day at New Forest (78°00'E and 300°20'N), Dehra Dun, India, during its peak flowering period (22na-28th March 2000). Comparative pollination potential was determined on the basis of three parameters (i) duration of time period spent for nectar feeding, (ii) the mean height of insects dorsum from the ground, in relation to the mean vertical diameter of the corolla tube at the point of placement of anthers and stigma in it, taken for assessing its potential in making contact with the anthers (pollen) and stigma, and (iii) the presence or absence of hairs on the dorsum of the insect considered for estimating its potential to brush, carry pollen from the anthers and deposit it on the stigma. Twelve species of insects consisting representing five families [Xylocopidae (1), Bombidae (1), Apidae (3), Vespidae (3) and Syrphidae (4)], were sampled. The duration of time spent by the different families on P. fortunei blossoms varied significantly (a) in general (CD_(0.5) = 1.22; Xylocoopidae > Apidae > Syrphidae > Vespidae > Bombidae), (b) with respect to the three individual time periods (CD_(0.05) = 0.94; forenoon > afternoon > evening) and (iii) also with respect to the interaction between two (a) and (b) (CD_(0.05) = 2.11; maximum duration of time spent by Xylocopidae, Apidae and Bombidae was in the forenoon and for Vespidae and Syrphidae it was in the afternoon], On the basis of the physical body structure and size (last two parameters) only two families [Xylocopidae (Xylocopa fenestrata Fabr.) and Bombidae (Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith)] out of five, were determined as suitable potential pollinators of p. fortunei flowers. As, Xylocopidae spent more duration of time than Bombidae (first parameter) for nectar feeding on these blossoms, hence its role in pollination of P. fortunei was greater than Bombidae.

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Arun P. Singh , Rajiv Pandey

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Feeding potential of the defoliator, Clostera cupreata was evaluated on 40 fast growing American clones of Populus deltoides in the laboratory to find out their resistance/susceptibility to this pest. Differences in leaf area eaten for these clones were significant (p = 0.0864). Clones were divided into 6 categories [most resistant (5 clones), moderately resistant (10 clones), marginally resistant (8 clones), marginally susceptible (7 clones), moderately susceptible (2 clones) and most susceptible (8 clones)]. Clone G-48 followed by clones S₄C₂ , 113413,3567 and S₁₃C₁₄, respectively were ranked as 'most resistant' clones. On other hand clones S₇C₈ followed by clones 113324, S₇C₁, 82-33-3, 82-36-1, ST-124, D-75 and 82-26-5 were found to be 'most susceptible'. Amongst the resistant clones, clones G-48, 3324, D-67, S₇C₇, 82-35-4 and A-13 showed better growth performance than other clones. Therefore, these six clones are promising for large scale plan.tation in defoliator prone areas. On the other hand clones S₇C₈, S₇C₁, S₇C₂₀, D-75, D-74, 1133'24, ST-124, 82-33-3, 82-36-1 and 82-26-5 which although have been found to be superior to clone G-3 in terms of growtb increment in field trials but are comparatively 'more susceptible' to this defoliator and should be avoided for plantation in defoliator prone areas.

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Arun P. Singh , R. S. Bhandari

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No abstract

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Arun P. Singh

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No abstract

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Arun P. Singh , Raka Singh

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A study was carried out in a Quercus leucotrichophora - Cedrus deodara forest to find out its butterfly species composition. their status. habits. nectar plants. larval food plants and seasonal occurrence. The dominant flora of the study area was also recorded. A total 35 butterfly species were recorded. Field observation showed that all the species of butterflies are dependent for food and netltar on plants that are typical of Quercus leucotrichophora - Cedrus deodara forest ecosystem.

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Arun P. Singh

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Butterflies were collected for six years from New Forest campus which is a man-made habitat covering an area of 4.45 km² and located at Dehra Dun in Northern India. The aim of the study was to know butterfly species composition of this artifical habitat in relation to the Western Himalayas and also the number of larval food plant species of butterflies supported by this habitat. A total of 148 species belonging to 10 families and sub-families were found in New Forest which was one-third of the total found in the region. Three species found were 'rare' as listed in the Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972, ammended 1989). Larval food plants for all the butterfly species were present in New Forest. The proportions all the butterfly species in the families found here were in constancy with the region and were more closely related to the Western Himalaya, as compared to the Central Himalaya or the entire Indian Sub-Continent. All these findings suggest that New Forest provides a refuge for a large number of butterfly species found in the region, depicting a point diversity.

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Arun P. Singh

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The author has listed 31 new records of birds from New Forest campus (4.4 km²) and adjoining 'Tons' river bed, located at Dehra Dun in Northern India, along with their status, general abundance, habits and habitats. With these new additions the annotated check list of birds of New Forest, recorded since 1944, now comprises of292 species. The avifaunal richness of New Forest campus is mainly attributed to the large variety of habitats, both artificial and natural, and numerous, indigenous as well as exotic, plant species found here.

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Arun P. Singh , R. S. Bhandari

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Studies on colonization, succession and preference for tree portion by insects were carried out on felled trees of spruce, Picea smithiana trees. A total of 14 species of insects colonized the felled trees. Two species are important wood boring beetles, Tetropium oreinum and Dryocotes indicus which infest freshly felled trees. A sap/fluid feeding bug Mezira tenuicornis also feeds on the tree till the 3rd year followed by a decaying wood boring fly, Eristalis tenox in the 4th year after felling. Five species of predatory beetles were also collected. Thanasimus himalayensis, predating on T. oreinum and D.indicus; Ampedu spp. And Cucujus bicolor predating on D. indicus along with a brenthid and carabid species that are also predatory beetles. Archotermopsis wroughtonii a dead wood termite and a predatory carabid beetle colonize the tree from 5-8 years after felling. However, from 18 to 22 years after felling, 3 species of beetles that are borers of rotten wood, Hemisodrocus nepalensis, Oryctes nasicornis and Blaps socia feed on spruce. Preference for the tree portion by insects showed that during the first 2 years after felling all the three portions of the tree are colonized i.e. bottom, middle and top. While from 3 to 8 years the bottom and middle portions are inhabited by insects. However, from 18 to 22 years after felling insects infest the bottom portion of the tree.

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Arun P. Singh

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No abstract

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Arun P. Singh

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The complex interaction of environmental stress, poor natural regeneration and insect pests have lead to oak forest decline in himalayan sub-region. Amongst the insects, stem and wood boring beetles are capable of causing significant oak mortality. The paper reports the outcome of surveys on wood boring beetles carried out in moist temperate oak forests mainly with Ban oak, Quercus leucotrichophora Camus, Moru oak,Q. dilatata Lindl and Q. semicarpifolia Smith in six sites in the Garhwal region of Uttarakand, India. Amongst the two primary Cerambycid wood borers, Aphrodisium hardwickianum White was prominent on Q. Leucotrichophora in disturbed forest tracts in Dehradun (Benog Sanctuary)and Uttarakashi district (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), (Kannatal) Tehri Garhwal district with infestation in stands ranging from 1 to 34.4 per cent. Another longicorn beetle, Rosalia laterifolia Hope preferred Q.dilatata mainly in Deoban Reserve Forest Chakarata Forest Division in Dehradun district causing 28 per cent tree mortality. 12 species of secondary wood boring beetles were also collected from these 6 sites along with two species of insect natural enemies and four species of Woodpeckers. Management options both silvicultural and chemical control, are given.

Keywords

Cerambycidae, Woodpeckers, Elatridae, Braconidae, Picidae, Monocrotphos, Dimethoate, Lopping, Grazing, Fodder, Fuel Wood, Protected Areas, Tree Density, NFRIC-Dehradun

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