Rare nocturnal moth discovered in Western Ghats

In a breakthrough for biodiversity research, scientists have recorded the presence of the rare nocturnal moth genus Antitrisuloides in the Western Ghats for the first time. The discovery was made at the Choolannur Peafowl Sanctuary in Palakkad district.

Part of the Noctuidae family, the genus comprises two known species worldwide. The specimen found in Kerala was identified as Antitrisuloides catocalina, a species previously reported only from North-East India. Detailed analysis further revealed it to be the subspecies Antitrisuloides catocalina cyclica.

The study provides an in-depth taxonomic description, including distinctive features of the male moth and its genitalia, making identification easier for future research.

The find is credited to Joslin Treesa Jacob, a research scholar at the Entomo Taxonomy Lab of Christ College, Irinjalakuda, and her guide, Assistant Professor Abhilash Peter. Their work has been published in the July edition of the international journal Ecology, Environment & Conservation.