Abstract: The genus Stictocardia Hallier f. which is known for its characterized black glands on lower leaf surface and distinctive fruit nature is represented by three species in India. The present paper describes the new distribution record and rare habitat of Stictocardia tiliifolia from Kankeshwar Alibag. The species S. tiliifolia is always under controversy for its nomenclature, the present paper thus provides detail taxonomic description along with photographs and relevant notes for its easy identification in field. The species S. tiliifolia is mostly mistaken as S. beraviensis; the former can be easily distinguished by its whitish-pinkish to purple corolla. The study area Kankeshwar is rich is biodiversity though least explored, such field studies will definitely add more data to flora of Alibag.

Keywords: Convolvulaceae, fruits, habitat, Kankeshwar, rare, Stictocardia tiliifolia

Abstract: Despite being located at the confluence of two biodiversity hotspots – the Himalaya and the Indo-Burma – our knowledge on the diversity of longhorn beetle from Northeast India is very limited and account for about a third of the total Indian diversity. Herein, we are reporting a confirmed record of Dorysthenes (Lophosternus) huegelii from Assam, India. A discussion on the limitation on the knowledge of the confirmed distribution range of this species in India based on historical records is also made. Being an economic pest, the knowledge on the distribution of the tree root borer D (L.) huegelii plays an important role in economic pest management. Taxonomic keys to the species under this genus recorded from India is also added.

Keywords: Dhemaji, distribution record, longhorn beetles, northeast India, taxonomic keys, undivided Assam

Abstract: During 2012–2018, a survey was conducted for the protozoan parasites in valley districts of Manipur. Cockroaches were collected using Sweep-netting methods and dissected. Fresh and permanent slides of collected protozoa from the gut; the sample insect were prepared using Haedenhain's iron, haematoxylin, Giemsa and Eosin stains. Mean, standard deviation and percent of co-efficient of variations are calculated. Two new Eugregarine protozoans namely, Phleobum periplanae sp. nov and Neohirmorcystis canchipurae sp. nov. were revealed new to science. Only 9 species of Phleobum protozoa has been identified so far. The present study added a new species to this group of protozoa. Phleobum periplanae sp. nov. is characterized by spherical epimerite which measures 14.7 – 32.6 µm while the protomerite is broadly ovoid, covered by a thick pellicle which measure 26.9 – 56.9 µm. Fresh gametocytes are yellowish- orange and ellipsoidal. A new species of Neohirmocystis is described here. Only a few species of Neohirmocystis protozoa have been identified. Neohirmocystis canchipurae sp. nov. is characterised by lack of epimerites with atrophozoite length of (159.6-192.6) µm. Gametocyst dehisces by simple rupture releasing spherical spores.

Keywords: Didymophyidae, Neohirmocystidae and Periplanata americana

Abstract: During 2012–2018, a survey was conducted for the protozoan parasites in valley districts of Manipur. Cockroaches were collected using Sweep-netting methods and dissected. Fresh and permanent slides of collected protozoa from the gut; the sample insect were prepared using Haedenhain's iron, haematoxylin, Giemsa and Eosin stains. Mean, standard deviation and percent of co-efficient of variations are calculated. Two new Eugregarine protozoans namely, Phleobum periplanae sp. nov and Neohirmorcystis canchipurae sp. nov. were revealed new to science. Only 9 species of Phleobum protozoa has been identified so far. The present study added a new species to this group of protozoa. Phleobum periplanae sp. nov. is characterized by spherical epimerite which measures 14.7 – 32.6 µm while the protomerite is broadly ovoid, covered by a thick pellicle which measure 26.9 – 56.9 µm. Fresh gametocytes are yellowish- orange and ellipsoidal. A new species of Neohirmocystis is described here. Only a few species of Neohirmocystis protozoa have been identified. Neohirmocystis canchipurae sp. nov. is characterised by lack of epimerites with atrophozoite length of (159.6-192.6) µm. Gametocyst dehisces by simple rupture releasing spherical spores.

Keywords: Didymophyidae, Neohirmocystidae and Periplanata americana

Abstract: Basella rubra Linn belongs to the family Basellaceae. The people of Manipur have been using plants as indigenous colorants before introducing synthetic colorants in Manipur. In addition traditional natural dyes plants were extinct their exploitation due to unavailability of indigenous knowledge on extracting and dying techniques. Natural dyes are environmental friendly although synthetic dyes rapidly replaced the traditional natural dyes because of availability, cost less, a vast range of new colors and imparted better properties to the dyed materials. Present circumstances, the use of natural dyes has fall-off due to lack of documentation. The traditionally used dye plants Achyranthus aspera and Basella rubra linn of Manipur were investigated for edible herbal pigment and vegetable dyes. Achyranthus aspera is used as natural mordant were as chemical analysis was not done. The chemical analyses of the bioactive compounds present in selected plant Basella rubra were characterized by NMR: (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and DEPT-135 NMR), TLC, UV-Vis, IR, Column Chromatography, LC-MS, profiles were recorded for evaluating the products and identification of the compound. Compound 1,2,3,4 and 5 were isolated by column chromatography from Basella rubra linn. Only compound 4 (3, 5-Bis-aminomethyl-cyclohexanone) and compound 5 (3-(2-Amino-ethyl)-2-aminomethyl-4-ethyl-cyclopentylamine) were identified and not reported before. Purple, red, green and brown pigments which are food grade are separated and characterized.

Keywords: Achyranthus aspera, Basella rubra, Meitei Community, Manipur, Traditional dye

Abstract: Tropical tasar or Antheraea mylitta is a commercially important non-mulberry silkworm that produces the world famous Indian tropical tasar silk. So far forty-four ecoraces of the species have been reported from different states of India. In West Bengal, previously it had been recorded from the Southern part including Kolkata and the hill region of North Bengal. In June 2020, two beautifully coloured, large-sized male and female tasar moths, a mature tasar worm and an emerged tasar cocoon is observed on the Ber plant or Indian jujube plant (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) a secondary food plant of tasar silkworm near Farabari, Siliguri subdivision of Terai agro-ecological zone, West Bengal. This new record updates the present distribution of tasar moth in West Bengal. An attempt has been made in the present work to report the existence of Antheraea mylitta Drury along with photographs from Terai region, West Bengal, India. During the investigation, length and breadth with wing expanded of female and male tasar moth measured about 6cm, 15.4cm and 5.3cm, 14cm respectively. The mature larva was 10.1cm in length, 2.3cm in width and 30.62g in weight. The colour of emerged cocoon was grayish brown, having a shell weight of 1.62g. Based on the present report, further investigation may be carried out in the future to identify the ecorace along with its economic importance in Sericulture.

Keywords: Antheraea mylitta, Tasar Silkmoth, Sericulture

Abstract: Tropical tasar or Antheraea mylitta is a commercially important non-mulberry silkworm that produces the world famous Indian tropical tasar silk. So far forty-four ecoraces of the species have been reported from different states of India. In West Bengal, previously it had been recorded from the Southern part including Kolkata and the hill region of North Bengal. In June 2020, two beautifully coloured, large-sized male and female tasar moths, a mature tasar worm and an emerged tasar cocoon is observed on the Ber plant or Indian jujube plant (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) a secondary food plant of tasar silkworm near Farabari, Siliguri subdivision of Terai agro-ecological zone, West Bengal. This new record updates the present distribution of tasar moth in West Bengal. An attempt has been made in the present work to report the existence of Antheraea mylitta Drury along with photographs from Terai region, West Bengal, India. During the investigation, length and breadth with wing expanded of female and male tasar moth measured about 6cm, 15.4cm and 5.3cm, 14cm respectively. The mature larva was 10.1cm in length, 2.3cm in width and 30.62g in weight. The colour of emerged cocoon was grayish brown, having a shell weight of 1.62g. Based on the present report, further investigation may be carried out in the future to identify the ecorace along with its economic importance in Sericulture.

Keywords: Antheraea mylitta, Tasar Silkmoth, Sericulture