Diversity of Moths in and around Some Agricultural Lands from Khamgaon Taluka, Buldhana District, India
Author : Roshana K Hushare and Dr. Meena T Nikam
Abstract :
Lepidoptera is an order that includes moths and butterflies. Moths are potent pollinators and bio-indicators like butterflies but there is less attention given towards their presence and fundamental roles in nature unlike butterflies. Since they are mostly nocturnal, play a vital role in the pollination of different plant species, especially nocturnal flowering plants and also perform a vital role in different food chains in an eco-system. A preliminary survey of the moth fauna in and around some agricultural lands from Khamgaon taluka was surveyed during the time period of October 2022 to February 2023. The study revealed a total of 12 species belonging 12 genera under 6 families and 11 sub-families by using simple light trap method and sometimes by direct photography. Among the recorded families viz. family Erebidae, Crambidae, Noctuidae, Uraniidae, Geometridae and Pyralidae; Erebidae was found most dominant family with 5 species, followed by 2 species each from Geometridae and Pyralidae and 1 species each from Crambidae, Noctuidae and Uraniidae. There may be opportunities for new records of different moths which affects the agricultural crops in variety of ways while some are beneficiary to such fields, depending on this study.
Keywords :
Lepidoptera, Khamgaon taluka, pollinators, bio-indicators, light trap.
