A total of 26 species of moths were observed across the Nilgiris by students from the Department of Wildlife Biology at the Government Arts College (GAC) in Udhagamandalam throughout the National Moth Week between July 22 and July 28.
Speaking to The Hindu, B. Ramakrishnan, Head of the Department of Wildlife Biology, said a count of the moths in the Nilgiris was done on the GAC campus and Fingerpost in Udhagamandalam, Emerald and Kotagiri. “A total of 26 species were recorded,” said Mr. Ramakrishnan, adding that a total of 146 moths have been recorded in the Nilgiris over the years. “The species diversity recorded by the students was comparatively less, possibly due to the wet weather in the Nilgiris, pushing moths to be more dormant,” said Mr. Ramakrishnan.
The “moth week” and the observations were inaugurated by Arul Antony, Principal of the Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam. The species were identified by staff as well as Selva Jothi, a year III student, pursuing her M.Sc degree in wildlife biology, who underwent special training to identify the species.
