Aijaz Ahmad Qureshi*1, Deen Mohammad Bhat*2 and Ramesh Chander Bhagat*3

*Entomological Research Laboratory, P. G. Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K State (India)

ABSTRACT

Field observations conducted for the first time in 10 administrative districts from April 2004 to November 2007 revealed that the Indian Tortoise shell, Aglais cashmirensis Kollar (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is commonly distributed in diverse habitats in Kashmir Valley. It was on the wing from March to November. Besides previously known host-plants of both adults and larvae, 10 new adult host-plants distributed in seven plant families namely Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Carduus edelbergi, Cersium wattutus), Caryophyllaceae (Cerastium cerastoides), Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbia helioscopia), Fabaceae (Medicago polymorpha, Trifolium repens), Geraniaceae (Erodium cicutarium), Lamiaceae (Mentha longifolia) and Plantaginaceae (Digitalis purpurea) are being reported for the first time from the region.

Key words : Aglais cashmirensis, Kashmir Valley, field observations, host-plants, new records.

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