Moths are nocturnal delight in Goa's forested areas
Rajendra P Kerkar
Though butterflies and moths are belonged to the order Lepidotera, there are differences in look and the behavioural patterns of the moths. The antenna of moth generally is a hairy and thread like and the most of the moths are seen after the sunset, frequently going in circle under the artificial light of the street or of the house. Some of moths possess the most dazzling colours and pattern.
Moths are seen in every region of our country where their host plants are found. Though, few moths are pests, there are some food to a variety of creatures like birds, bats and their caterpillars to the tribals of Africa. The silk thread is one of the most important contribution of moths to the world economy.
Though, state has the rich diversity of moths, there has complete dearth of scientific information on the species of moths in Goa. Students of Carmel College in Nuve and zoological department of Goa University has done efforts to study some of the species of moths.
In Goa, moths occur in all the habitats from wet evergreen forests to stored grains in houses. In and around my forested village of Keri, I have taken pictures of more than hundred species of moths.
The first scientific documentation of Moths for Goa was carried out by Manoj Borkar and his student Tina Fernandes at the Biodiversity Research Cell of Carmel College in Nuvem. In 14 weeks of field work conducted in Tiswadi, Ponda, Salcete and Mormugao, 50 species of moths belonging to 12 families were documented and the inventory was authenticated by Naresh Chaturvedi of Bombay Natural History Society. Even, Goa Fauna series published by Zoological Servey of India does not have any listing for Moths.
Moths face a risk of being impacted by Intensified agriculture , monoculture, agrochemicals like pesticides and herbicides to achieve higher yields, intensive Urban Development leading to loss of habitats, and of course climate Change. The biggest challenge to create interest in this group among researchers , procure funding for field studies and address gaps in our understanding of their diversity and ecology.
Rajendra P Kerkar
The full last week of July is being celebrated as the National Moth Week. If you were to take a stroll in Goa's forested areas during the monsoonal night, you will get an opportunity to enjoy mesmerizing beauty of the diverse species of moths.
Though butterflies and moths are belonged to the order Lepidotera, there are differences in look and the behavioural patterns of the moths. The antenna of moth generally is a hairy and thread like and the most of the moths are seen after the sunset, frequently going in circle under the artificial light of the street or of the house. Some of moths possess the most dazzling colours and pattern.
Though butterflies and moths are belonged to the order Lepidotera, there are differences in look and the behavioural patterns of the moths. The antenna of moth generally is a hairy and thread like and the most of the moths are seen after the sunset, frequently going in circle under the artificial light of the street or of the house. Some of moths possess the most dazzling colours and pattern.
Moths are seen in every region of our country where their host plants are found. Though, few moths are pests, there are some food to a variety of creatures like birds, bats and their caterpillars to the tribals of Africa. The silk thread is one of the most important contribution of moths to the world economy.
Though, state has the rich diversity of moths, there has complete dearth of scientific information on the species of moths in Goa. Students of Carmel College in Nuve and zoological department of Goa University has done efforts to study some of the species of moths.
In Goa, moths occur in all the habitats from wet evergreen forests to stored grains in houses. In and around my forested village of Keri, I have taken pictures of more than hundred species of moths.
The first scientific documentation of Moths for Goa was carried out by Manoj Borkar and his student Tina Fernandes at the Biodiversity Research Cell of Carmel College in Nuvem. In 14 weeks of field work conducted in Tiswadi, Ponda, Salcete and Mormugao, 50 species of moths belonging to 12 families were documented and the inventory was authenticated by Naresh Chaturvedi of Bombay Natural History Society. Even, Goa Fauna series published by Zoological Servey of India does not have any listing for Moths.
Moths face a risk of being impacted by Intensified agriculture , monoculture, agrochemicals like pesticides and herbicides to achieve higher yields, intensive Urban Development leading to loss of habitats, and of course climate Change. The biggest challenge to create interest in this group among researchers , procure funding for field studies and address gaps in our understanding of their diversity and ecology.
No comments:
Post a Comment