Antaram idukki

Antaram idukki Latest News

A team of researchers has discovered a new genus and species of tiger moth from the southern Western Ghats and named it as Antaram idukki. 

About Antaram idukki

• It belongs to the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae (Erebidae).
• It was discovered in Kerala’s Idukki district.
• It is currently known only from Idukki and is distinguished from related genera by a unique combination of external and genital morphological characters.
  • Tiger moths play a crucial ecological role as pollinators, particularly for plants that bloom at night.
  • They also serve as an important food source for birds, bats and other wildlife, while acting as biological indicators of environmental change.

What are Moths?

• These are insects that belong to the order Lepidoptera, which they share with butterflies.
• Characteristics
  • Highly adapted, they live in all but polar habitats. 
  • They often have duller colors compared to butterflies, which helps with camouflage. Some, like the luna moth or atlas moth, are vividly colored.
  • Moth antennae are often feathery, unlike the thin and clubbed antennae of butterflies.
  • Most moths are active at night, but some are diurnal.
  • The larvae and adults of most moth species are plant eaters. Larvae in particular do considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs and to many other plants of economic importance.

Source: TH

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