Journal of Threatened
Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2025 | 17(3): 26761–26762
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9763.17.3.26761-26762
#9763 | Received 20 March 2025
A
whisper of silken wings
Aparna Sureshchandra Kalawate 1 & Pooja Kumar Misal
2
1 Zoological Survey of
India, Western Regional Centre, Vidhya Nagar, Sector-29, P.C.N.T. (PO), Rawet Road, Akurdi, Pune,
Maharashtra 411044,
India.
2 Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
416004, India.
1 aparna_ent@yahoo.co.in
(corresponding author), 2 pkmspider@gmail.com
Date of publication: 26 March 2025 (online & print)
Citation: Kalawate, A.S. & P.K. Misal
(2025). A whisper of silken
wings. Journal of Threatened
Taxa 17(3): 26761–26762. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9763.17.3.26761-26762
Copyright: © Kalawate & Misal 2025. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use,
reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing
adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
The Indian
subcontinent, with its varied landscapes and climatic zones, is a biodiversity
hotspot, teeming with life both visible and often overlooked. Among the more
enigmatic inhabitants of this region are the moths, belonging to the order
Lepidoptera. Often overshadowed by their diurnal cousins, the butterflies.
Moths represent a significantly larger and more diverse group. A comprehensive
field guide, ‘Moths of India’, would be a valuable resource, filling a crucial
gap in our understanding of Indian Lepidoptera and serving as a vital tool for
researchers, conservationists, and amateur enthusiasts alike. This review will
examine its success in achieving this ambitious goal.
The book is divided
into various sections based on the different families of moths found in India.
This field guide records 1,500 species with well-defined illustrations. The
taxonomic framework employed by the author is crucial for its scientific
validity. It provides classification from family to species level. This field
guide includes basic information about best time period of moth watching, moth
photography, ethical guidelines, and dos and don’ts which is necessary for any
taxa. A total of 33 different families representing a total of 1,478 species
with illustrations and distribution has been provided. Among them approximately
13 species are classified up to the generic level. This field guide has
provided more than 30 species with illustrations of both the sexes. Also, the
polymorphic form of Ercheia cyllaria (Cramer, [1782]) has been illustrated. The
book lacks information on diagnostic characters to easily identify the species.
The author could have added information on host plants of the species which is
crucial for moth fauna, as they are the important pest and pollinators of many
plant species. Besides, the information about distribution of some of the
species in India is lacking.
The book presents the
398 species of Erebidae which was dominant in it
followed by Geometridae with 373 species and Sphingidae with 120 species, Crambidae
with 107 species, etc. (Figure 1). As per the checklist of moths of India,
published in 2024 by Zoological Survey of India, India harbours
11,745 species of moths and in this book, author has covered 11% of it (Figure
2). One of the strengths of the book is the use of good quality photographs,
which provides a visual treat for the readers. Also, proper comparison in the
species of the same genus is possible from the plates. The photographs are
accompanied by scientific names.
‘Moths of India: A Field Guide’ is an
informative and engaging book that provides a comprehensive scientific
exploration of the diverse world of Indian moths. As a testament to the beauty
and importance of these nocturnal creatures, the book serves as a call to
action for the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of the natural
world.
Edition 2024, 280 pages.
ISBN: 978-81-954247-8-8.
Published by Titli
Trust.
Book designed and printed by M/s Bishen Singh Mahendra pal Singh,
23-A Connaught Place, Dehradun.
https://www.amazon.in/Moths-India-Field-Sanjay-Sondhi/dp/8195424783