Ladakh, one of India’s most fragile landscapes, has a new group of invaders – the camouflage moth that threatens the local farm-based economy.
A quartet of scientists recorded Phalera cf. bucephala, a moth native to parts of Africa, East Asia and Europe, in the Suru Valley in the Kargil district of Ladakh. ‘cf.’ is often used in a zoological name when experts suspect a new record or a similar but not identical species.
The scientist’s findings have raised curiosity and concern because the larvae of this insect, commonly called the buff-tip moth, are voracious feeders and can defoliate an entire tree in a matter of weeks.
They are Mohd. Hussain of Government College Zanskar; Nassreen Fatima Kacho of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kargil-I, Khurbathang; Basharat Ali, Department of Zoology, Kargil Campus, Khumbathang; and Mohd. Ali of Aligarh Muslim University. Their study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa.
The study, which ran from June 2021 to August 2023, documents how the buff-tip moth was able to establish itself in the Trans-Himalayan region. The moth’s bark-like appearance helps it blend in with the willows that power India’s cricket bat industry.
The researchers found that the larvae of a seemingly undemanding invasive species can cause “complete defoliation of the host plant” within 30 days, highlighting the extent of the threat to local vegetation.
According to the study, the moth appears to have established a strong foothold in the Suru Valley, particularly on Salix alba, or white willow, a tree of immense local importance. Locally known as Kralboo, the branches of this willow tree are widely used as roofing material in houses in Ladakh, while the leaves and twigs serve as cattle fodder in harsh seasons.
More plants under attack
Willow is not the only plant that can end up being eaten by a moth. The study reports that the Phalera genus causes varying degrees of infestation of other trees and shrubs, including poplar, winter oak, apple, ash and hickory.
A factor behind defoliation is the moth’s life cycle.
Adults emerge in mid-June, mate quickly and lay clusters of up to 150 eggs. In July, the larvae hatch and begin to feed in groups, initially scraping the undersides of leaves before eating them. In late summer, the caterpillars burrow underground to pupate, sleeping through the winter before emerging the following year.
The researchers note that this cycle of one generation per year may seem manageable, but the insect’s polyphagous nature (the ability to feed on a wide variety of plants) makes it particularly dangerous. They sometimes crawl along the ground in droves looking for pupation sites, creating what locals describe as a nuisance during the harvest season.
Link to climate change
What makes the study significant is its connection to climate change.
The traditionally cold Ladakh desert has been experiencing gradual warming over the past two decades. Scientists suggest that these changing conditions are creating a more hospitable environment for invasive species in the region.
The study says the incidence of insect pests has increased in the region in recent years, with at least six additional invasive species previously recorded. Thus, the arrival of the buff-tip moth is considered part of a broader ecological trend rather than an isolated event.
“During the survey, the insect was observed to cover the entire valley from Minjee to Parkachik. Therefore, it may be declared an invasive pest and early control measures should be implemented… without early control measures, it may spread to other areas including fruit growing areas like Kargil City, Shilikchey, Hardas and other adjoining areas of Kargil district,” the study warned.
Published – May 8, 2026 1:17 PM IST
