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A detail surface ultrastructure study on both male and female Amblyomma helvolum, inhabiting on snakes were made by using scanning electron microscope. The study unraveled the clear sexual dimorphism of the tick. Details of the surface ultrastructure were compared with other ixodid tick species as reported so far. Some distinctive surface morphology of A. helvolum was recorded viz., arrangement of hypostomal dentition, pore distribution on scutal surface, presence of festoons, position of male and female genital organ, number of spurs on different appendicular coxa, structure of spiracle and Haller's organ, number of sensilla on anterior pit of Haller's organ and distribution of different ventral idiosomal plates were remarkably diverse between sexes. Absence of festoons at the posterior extremity of female tick and absence of eyes on the antero-lateral sides of the scutum of both sexes of this tick species are the main outcome of this present study, which may provide insight to the traditional identification key of the genus Amblyomma.

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The order Lepidoptera is a highly diverse and well-established indicator taxon that helps to monitor anthropogenic threats in the environment and climate change. In India, the taxonomic studies on Lepidoptera have been started long ago, but the molecular studies have been performed rarely, especially in the Himalayan region. The present study generated DNA barcode sequence of 44 Geometridae moths from Namdapha National Park in Eastern Himalaya and identified them through wing pattern and genitalia structure. Among them, the DNA barcode data of 13 Geometridae species are the novel contribution in the global database. All the studied species were revealed sufficient Kimura 2 Parameter (K2P) genetic divergence and distinguished by Bayesian (BA) tree. The genus Problepsis (subfamily Sterrhinae), Pelagodes and Lophophelma (subfamily Geometrinae) showed distinct clades with their respective species in the BA tree. The BA cladogram successfully separated the studied specimens under three different tribes; Macariini, Eutoeini, and Boarmiini (subfamily Ennominae). The study further revealed the new records of two Geometridae moths, Pelagodes bellula and Hypomecis costaria from India. Nevertheless, more than one clade of Cleora, Hypomecis, and Chiasmia in BA tree; further impelled more rigorous sampling of the studied taxon from different geographical regions for better systematic interpretation.

The present communication consists of the first ever catalogue of Indian Notodontidae Stephens, 1829 comprising systematic accounts of 242 species (including nominotypical subspecies) and 10 subspecies under 116 genera of 10 subfamilies with four new records to India viz. Phalera (Phalera) birmicola Bryk, 1949, Spatalina desiccata stolida Schintlmeister, 2007, Hiradonta hannemanni Schintlmeister, 1989 and Kamalia tattakana (Matsumura, 1927). The account was prepared by compiling findings from both literature survey and field sampling carried out at various Protected Areas in the Indian Himalayas and Chhattisgarh state in the Deccan Peninsular region of India. Zoogeographic analysis of Indian Notodontidae reveals a majority of the assemblage showing Oriental (58.27%) and Palaearctic (40.49%) affinities with maximum species of Sundanian (80.00%), followed by Himalayan (77.65%) origins. In India, the majority of the species are distributed in the Himalayan (35.33%) and North-East (39.40%) biogeographic zones, reflecting maximum endemicity. Extensive surveys in the less explored southern part of the country are expected to enrich the inventory of Indian Notodontidae. The distribution map and detailed illustrations of the four new records are provided.

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