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Published: 2025-06-17
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A catalogue of bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from India

Zoological Survey of India; Western Regional Centre; Vidya Nagar; Sector-29; P.C.N.T (PO); Rawet Road; Akurdi; Pune; Maharashtra 411044; India
PhD Scholar; Shivaji University; Vidyanagar; Kolhapur—416 004; Maharashtra; India
Zoological Survey of India; Western Regional Centre; Vidya Nagar; Sector-29; P.C.N.T (PO); Rawet Road; Akurdi; Pune; Maharashtra 411044; India
High Altitude Regional Centre; Zoological Survey of India; Solan; Himachal Pradesh 173211; India
Lepidoptera micromoths economic pests systematic account taxonomy museum specimen

Abstract

The present catalogue is a result of the compilation of published literature and online databases. In this, a total of 117 species of Psychidae are listed, belonging to 38 genera and 8 subfamilies: Typhoniinae (37 species), Naryciinae (7 species), Oiketicinae (35 species), Epichnopteriginae (1 species), Metisinae (6 species), Taleporiinae (8 species), Psychinae (6 species), and Eumasiinae (4 species). Nine genera included in the catalogue were unassigned at subfamily level. Information related to type localities, records from India with respective literature references, and the genus/species synonymy is also provided. This work aims to provide a foundational resource for future research on Indian Psychidae, facilitating taxonomic studies, ecological assessments, pest management strategies, and molecular studies to comprehensively document the diversity and distribution of bagworm moths in India. In addition, a brief analysis of the research history of Indian psychids illustrates the general patterns of when and by whom the Indian species were described during the pre- and post-Independence era and recent times.

 

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How to Cite

Kalawate, A.S., Misal, P.K., K., T. & Pathania, P.C. (2025) A catalogue of bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from India. Zootaxa, 5647 (4), 331–358. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.4.2