1Suhas M Pidhekar, 2Pradeep
Rathod
Department of Zoology
G. S. Science, Arts and Commerce college Khamgon (M.S.) Pin Code: -444303
Sitaram Govind Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College, Sarki
(Dist.-Dhule)
E-mail: suhaspidhekarzoology@gmail.com
Abstract:
Moths (Order: Lepidoptera) play a vital role
in ecosystem functioning and are widely recognized as effective bio-indicators
due to their sensitivity to environmental fluctuations. The present study
documents the diversity and seasonal occurrence of moth fauna in grassland and
agricultural ecosystems of Sarki Taluka, District Dhule, Maharashtra, India.
Systematic field surveys were conducted from July 2023 to December 2023 across
heterogeneous habitats including tropical deciduous vegetation, bushy
landscapes, pond margins and semi-evergreen riverine zones. Moth specimens were
collected using light traps operated from dusk to dawn and subsequently
preserved and identified using standard taxonomic literature. A total of 42 species
representing 11 families were recorded during the study period. The families
Noctuidae, Limacodidae, Lasiocampidae, Lymantriidae, Crambidae, Saturniidae,
Hepialidae, Gelechidae,Pyralidae, Geometridae and Gracillariidae were
documented, with Noctuidae emerging as the most dominant family in terms of
species richness. Marked seasonal variation in moth abundance was observed,
with peak diversity during the monsoon and early post-monsoon months, likely
influenced by increased vegetation cover, host plant availability and favorable
microclimatic conditions. The dominance of agriculturally important pest
species highlights the ecological and economic significance of moth fauna in
the region. This study provides the first comprehensive baseline data on moth
diversity from Sarki Taluka and contributes to regional Lepidopteran
biodiversity knowledge. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous
monitoring of moth communities for understanding ecosystem health and for
developing conservation and sustainable ago-ecosystem management strategies.
Keywords: Lepidoptera; Moth diversity; Biodiversity assessment; Light trapping;
Seasonal
variation;
Agro-ecosystem; Maharashtra, India
INTRODUCTION
Moths and Butterflies are comprising with order Lepidoptera, which
are the most common insects of the forest ecosystems and agricultural fields
and are often termed as the biological indicators of the ecosystem. Lepidoptera
is the second largest and the most diverse order of the class Insect (Benton,
1995). Moths are the cousins of butterflies, both of them belonging to the
order Lepidoptera. Most of the biological researchers have used Lepidoptera as
a model organism to assess the impact of human and pollution disturbance and
management practices of the forest ecosystems (Willott et al., 2000;
Lewis, 2001). Documenting diversity of moth fauna can help to lead a new
evolutionary insight and a first step in developing conservation goals for the
lepidopteron insects in recently scientists estimated to comprise of 1, 74, 250
species, in 126 families and 46 super families in worldwide.
In India it is estimated that approximately 12,000 species of moths
belong to 41 families are recorded (Chandra, 2007). The main objective was to
study the moth fauna, collect them, identify the moth diversity, and study
their occurrence.
Collection
and observation site: -
Moths were collected from
in and around Sakri Grassland and Agriculture region. The collection and
observational study were carried out from July 2023 to December 2023. The area
covers tropical, deciduous, bushy, pond and riverside semi-evergreen places.
Material
and Methods: -
Collection of moths was carried out from
evening onwards till morning on next day by using trapping net having Light
Trap. The collected moths were killed by using ethyl acetate and later pinned
in insect stretching board. All specimens were preserved in airtight insect box
made up of glass, having naphthalene balls as fumigant. Each specimen was
arranged with a label indicating the locality and date of collection. The
collected species are placed in a series and identification of moths was
carried out in laboratory at Dept. of Zoology Sitaram Govind Patil Arts,
Science and Commerce College, Sakri Dist.-Dhulewith help of identified
specimens and available literature Hampson (1892, 1894, 1895 and 1896), Bell
and Scott (1937) and other published literatures.
Result: -
In the present study, a total of eleven families have been
identified from the Sakri grassland and the agricultural region of Sakri. The
collection of moths was carried out from different regions like tropical,
deciduous, bushy, pond and riverside semi-evergreen places. Among eleven families’
moths belonging to this family were common. Viz. Noctuidae, Limacodidae, Lasiocampidae,
Lymantrida, Crambidae, Saturniiidae, Hepidalidae, Gelechidae, Pyralidae,
Geometridae, Gracillaridae.
Table: - Collected
and identified species from Grassland and Agricultural Region of Sakari Dhule.
|
Sr. No. |
Family |
Genus |
Species |
|
1 |
Noctuidae |
Eudocima |
marcops |
|
2 |
Hypsiphylla
|
robusta |
|
|
3 |
Mythimna |
compacta |
|
|
4 |
Mythimna
|
separate |
|
|
5 |
Spirama |
reorta |
|
|
6 |
Spodoptera
|
litura |
|
|
7 |
Limacodidae |
Altha
|
subnotata |
|
8 |
Parsa
|
lepida |
|
|
9 |
Lasiocampidae |
Metanastria
|
hyrtaca |
|
10 |
Taragama |
siva |
|
|
11 |
Trabal
|
vishnu |
|
|
12 |
Lymantrida |
Artax
|
diagramma |
|
13 |
Lymantria |
Ampla |
|
|
14 |
Lymantria
|
dispar |
|
|
15 |
Lymantria |
incerta |
|
|
16 |
Orygyia
|
postica |
|
|
17 |
Crambidae |
Sameodes
|
cancelallis |
|
18 |
Galleria
|
melonella |
|
|
19 |
Chilo
|
partellus |
|
|
20 |
Diatreaea
|
venosata |
|
|
21 |
Chilo
|
simplex |
|
|
22 |
Saturniiidae |
Atacus
|
atlas |
|
23 |
Antharaea |
mylitta |
|
|
24 |
Actias
|
selene |
|
|
25 |
Hepidalidae |
Phassus
|
malabaricus |
|
26 |
Gelechidae |
Pectinophora |
gossypiella |
|
27 |
Sitotroga
|
cerealella |
|
|
28 |
Pyralidae |
Procerus
|
indicus |
|
29 |
Chilo
|
partelus |
|
|
30 |
Eutectona
|
machaeralis |
|
|
31 |
Margaronia
|
caesalis |
|
|
32 |
Cnapphalocrosis |
medinalis |
|
|
33 |
Geometridae |
Macaria |
fasciate |
|
34 |
Micronea |
aculeate |
|
|
35 |
Agathia |
laetata |
|
|
36 |
Euproctis |
subnotata |
|
|
37 |
Eumelea |
rosalia |
|
|
38 |
Gracillaridae |
Acrocerocops |
syngramma |
|
39 |
Phycodes |
|
|
|
40 |
Bauhinia |
purpurea |
|
|
41 |
Plutella |
xyllostella |
|
|
42 |
Gracillaria |
|
Discussion: -
On the basis of present
survey which was carried out in the present study, from July 2023 to December
2023 from Sakri grassland and agriculture region of Sakri a total of 42 species
belonging to 11 families were found. This study was mainly carried out to
elucidate the biodiversity of moth fauna. It was observed that number of moth
species was found from these families viz., Noctuidae, Limacodidae,
Lasiocampidae, Lymantrida, Crambidae, Saturniiidae, Hepidalidae, Gelechidae,
Pyralidae, Geometridae, Gracillaridae. Comprehensible surveys of moth diversity
have been done in Hawaii (Zimmerman 1948) there have also been a few studies on
smaller islands (Holloway 1977). It thus implies that further work undertaken
in greater depth and covering large areas may reveal a rich biodiversity of
moth fauna.
Conclusion
While studying the biodiversity of moth fauna
form a grassland and agriculture region of Sakri, a total of 42 species
belonging to 11 families were recorded in the present work. Among these,
members of the Noctuidae, Limacodidae, Lasiocampidae, Lymantrida, Crambidae,
Saturniiidae, Hepidalidae, Gelechidae, Pyralidae, Geometridae, Gracillaridae
are commonly found in the collection. According to their seasonal abundance the
activity of moths was found higher in July to December month. Present study has
been carried out to elucidate a fauna which was previously unknown, and it is a
milestone step towards checking diversity fauna of moths in sakrigrassl and and
agriculture region of Sakri Dist.Dhule
References: -
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