A preliminary study of moth species of verna
Keywords:
environment, biodiversity, insects, butterfly, mothsAbstract
Insect studies based on their diversity and ecological distribution in Goa are rare and can help us understand the differences in biodiversity within the region. Goa is a tropical region that is part of the Western Ghats hotspot, but there is paucity of literature on insects especially moth species, in this region. A moth survey was conducted during the monsoon season to observe moth species over a period of several months in Verna village in the southern part of Goa. The current exploration is the first report of moth observations on the Sal River in the Verna residential area. A total of 193 moth species were identified. Based on the number of species, the family Erebidae was the most dominant with 61 species, followed by Crambidae with 42 species, Noctuidae with 26 species, Geometridae with 19 species and Sphingidae with 5 species. The least dominant were Nolidae, Zygaenidae and Pterophoridae with 4 species each. Moth diversity and abundance in Verna is highest during the monsoon and is directly dependent on rainfall, probably because it stimulates the growth of various plant species on which moth larvae feed. This moth species in this discovery contributes significantly to the moth ecology in Verna, expanding the list of known moth species and furthering our understanding of their ecological role in the ecosystems of Goa.
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