A team of entomologists composed of K. Swafvan and Ap Rashiba first recorded seven new moths in Kerala. During a survey in the district of Kasaragod in February and March last year, moths found moths during a survey in the Ranipuram Forest region in the Karagod district.
Their recordings were published by the international magazine Entomology Research in his 31 May 2025. The report was called “The first report of seven moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) from Kerala: Exploration from Ranipuram, Kasaragod, Kerala, India”.
Dr. Swafvan is a teacher at the Secondary School of SNM Higher High School, Pappanangadi and Dr. Rashiba is a teacher at Farok College, Feroke. Dr. Swafvan said he had already identified 37 species over the last four years.
The new types of moths they identified were Zeiracera Grisean, Toccolosid Ganeshgudiensis, Tingen Ombrodella, Hanhamella, Herpetogramma Semilaniata, Antiblemma Alcinoe and Adiopa sp.
“The findings will contribute significantly to the growing documentation of Keraly’s Lepidopteran Fauna and emphasize the ecological importance of forest habitats in maintaining a variety of moth populations,” Swafvan.
Moths play a crucial role in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposition and species of prey, he said, explaining the role of butterflies and moths. “However, the moths remain largely represented in the evaluation of biodiversity, especially in regions characterized by complex agroecosystems such as North Kerala,” he added.
Scientists have collected moths using vertical light traps equipped with two 65 W CFL onions and 160 W steam on steam, set to 4 × 5 feet. According to Dr. Swafvana would emphasize the new type of moths the richness of the moth fauna in Western Ghats.
He said that nightmares were at risk of factors such as increased use of pesticides, climate change and environmental pollution.
Published – 4 June 2025 01:30
