http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/45 2026-04-06T11:03:54Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/393 Feeding behaviour of pit building of antlion Myrmeleon pseudohyalinus, Holzel 1972 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in different mediums, instars and hunger levels Anila, K.; Kakkassery, Francy K; Jose, Joyce Feeding behaviour of Myrmeleon pseudohyalinus (Holzel, 1972) larvae was studied in sand and soil media for second and third instars, and at two hunger levels (fed/starved) in laboratory conditions. Common ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith, 1857) was used as prey in all the experiments. From the eight experiments, feeding time, prey escape and capture success were analysed. The predatory efficiency studied indicated that the capture success was high in second instar larvae irrespective of hunger level and medium. The relationships between selected behaviour, instar, medium and condition were studied and also the relationship between selected behaviour, instar, medium, condition and time period were analysed. From the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), it is clear that the prey beating, emergence and submergence behaviours were influenced by the larval instar (second and third) and quiescence, pit clearing and jaw set behaviour patterns were influenced by their condition (fed or starved). CCA also shows an influence of time period in the feeding behaviour pattern of antlion larvae. © 2022 Association for Advancement of Entomology 2022-03-31T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/385 DISTRIBUTION MAPPING AND HOST PLANT PREFERENCES OF THE BAGWORM EUMETA CRAMERI WESTWOOD 1854 FROM KERALA, INDIA Usha, A.U; Jose, Joyce; Roby, T.J. Bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) are sexually dimorphic polyphagous insects with a unique life cycle. Eumeta crameri is a common species of bagworm in Kerala, India. This paper documents the distribution mapping of Eumeta crameri in Kerala by QGIS method, and also includes an account of its host plant selection and utilization. Morphology and life cycle of the species is also discussed. We observed more than 100 individuals of Eumeta crameri from 19 localities in randomly selected human habitations of Kerala. The plant family most preferred by Eumeta crameri was found to be Fabaceae, and bag attachment was mainly seen on the middle portion of the preferred plant or tree. 2021-09-30T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/209 New locality record of the slender day gecko Cnemaspis gracilis (Beddome, 1870) from Ernakulam district, Kerala, India (Reptilia:Gekkonidae) with behavioural observations Neethu Unnikrishnan M; Joyce Jose; Roby TJ 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z http://starc.stthomas.ac.in:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/131 Phytosociological analysis of Myristica swamp forests of Kulathupuzha, Kerala, India Roby, TJ; Jose, Joyce; Vijayakumaran Nair, P The vegetation of Myristica swamp forests in Kulathupuzha, southern Kerala, India, was examined with reference to floristic composition, structure and diversity. Quadrates of 100*10 m were laid inside (17) and outside the swamps (14), and trees >10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated. A total of 2246 individual trees belonging to 58 species were recorded inside the swamps as against 1203 trees belonging to 89 species from outside the swamps. A total of 1775 shrubs belonging to 46 species and 26 species of herbs with 1082 individuals were recorded from inside the swamps. A total of 3535 shrubs belonging to 83 species and 491 herbs belonging to 30 species were recorded from outside the swamps. The Myristica swamp forests showed less diversity when compared to other forest types and was dominated by two Myristicaceae species, Myristica fatua var. magnifica and Gymnacranthera farquhariana. Comparison with Myristica swamps in other regions indicates that the Kulathupuzha region has the largest populations of the endangered M. fatua var. magnifica. Immediate steps for conservation are suggested. 2018-04-25T00:00:00Z