A team of entomologists comprising K. Swafvan and A.P. Rashiba has recorded seven new moth species for the first time in Kerala. They found the moths during a survey in the Ranipuram forest region in Kasaragod district in February and March last year.
Their recordings were published by the International Journal of Entomology Research in its May 31, 2025, issue. The report was titled ‘First report of seven moth species (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) from Kerala: A survey from Ranipuram, Kasaragod, Kerala, India.’
Dr. Swafvan is a teacher at SNM Higher Secondary School, Parappanangadi, and Dr. Rashiba is a teacher at Farook College, Feroke. Dr. Swafvan said he had already identified 37 moth species during his research in the last four years.
The new moth species identified by them were Zeiraphera griseana, Toccolosida ganeshgudiensis, Tingena ombrodella, Pyla hanhamella, Herpetogramma semilaniata, Antiblemma alcinoe, and Adiopa sp.
“The findings will contribute significantly to the growing documentation of Kerala’s lepidopteran fauna and underscore the ecological importance of forest habitats in sustaining diverse moth populations,” said Dr. Swafvan.
Moths play a vital role in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and prey species, he said, explaining the role of butterflies and moths. “But moths largely remain underrepresented in biodiversity assessments, particularly in regions characterised by complex agroecosystems such as north Kerala,” he added.
The researchers collected moths using vertical light traps equipped with two 65W CFL bulbs and a 160W mercury vapour lamp, set up on a 4 × 5 ft. white cotton screen. According to Dr. Swafvan, the recording of the new moth species would underscore the richness of the moth fauna in the Western Ghats.
He said the nocturnal moths were being threatened by factors like increased use of pesticides, climate change, and environmental pollution.
Published – June 04, 2025 01:30 am IST
