logo
Rare nocturnal moth discovered in Western Ghats

Rare nocturnal moth discovered in Western Ghats

The Hindu2 days ago
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rare nocturnal moth discovered in Western Ghats
Rare nocturnal moth discovered in Western Ghats

The Hindu

time2 days ago

  • The Hindu

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.

Nine solitary bee species discovered in Kerala for the first time
Nine solitary bee species discovered in Kerala for the first time

The Hindu

time2 days ago

  • The Hindu

Nine solitary bee species discovered in Kerala for the first time

In a remarkable addition to Kerala's biodiversity records, researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab at Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, have identified nine species of solitary bees from the subfamily Nomiinae (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) – all documented for the first time in Kerala. Unlike the social honeybees that live in bustling colonies and produce honey, solitary bees live independently, with each female building and provisioning her own nest. While they may not yield honey, their ecological contribution is immense. 'Solitary bees are vital pollinators. They play an equally important role as honeybees in sustaining ecosystems and boosting agricultural productivity,' explained Dr. Bijoy C., Assistant Professor and Head of the Lab. The newly recorded species include Austronomia capitata, Austronomia goniognatha, Austronomia ustula, Gnathonomia argenteobalteata, Hoplonomia incerta, Lipotriches torrida, Lipotriches exagens, Lipotriches minutula, and Lipotriches pulchriventris. Among them, Lipotriches torrida has been found for the first time outside its type locality, and Gnathonomia argenteobalteata marks a rare rediscovery — over a century after its last recorded sighting in India. 'These findings put Kerala on the global map for Nomiinae diversity,' said Dr. Bijoy. Published in the Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics (Vol. 11, Issue 3, 2025), the study reveals that Kerala now harbours 42 species of Nomiinae — representing 50.6% of India's and 87.7% of South India's known fauna in this subfamily. These bees, which nest in the ground, also help improve soil aeration, moisture retention, and fertility through their nesting activities. The research team included doctoral students Athul Sankar C., Vishnu A. V., and Anju Sara Prakash, from Christ College alongside Dr. Bijoy and Dr. Shaji E. M., Professor and Head of the Zoology Department, K. K. T. M. Govt. College, Pullut. The project was funded by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Government of India.

Study Reveals Impact Of Heat Extremes On Tropical Birds' Populations
Study Reveals Impact Of Heat Extremes On Tropical Birds' Populations

NDTV

time5 days ago

  • NDTV

Study Reveals Impact Of Heat Extremes On Tropical Birds' Populations

Sydney: Climate change-driven heat extremes have wiped out 25-38 per cent of tropical bird populations since 1950, according to a study involving Australian scientists. The study found that while shifts in average temperature and rainfall have some influence, the biggest climate threat to birds, particularly in tropical regions, comes from exposure to extreme heat, according to an analysis released Tuesday on the University of Queensland website. Australian and European researchers analysed over 3,000 bird populations from 1950-2020, using weather data to separate climate impacts from human pressures such as habitat loss, in a dataset of 90,000 observations from all continents, it said. The research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, confirmed the work of other climate scientists showing extreme heat events have increased dramatically over the past 70 years, especially near the equator, Xinhua News Agency reported. Birds in tropical regions are now experiencing dangerously hot days about ten times more often than they did in the past, researchers have found. Surviving birds may suffer lasting damage, including organ failure and reduced breeding success, as extreme heat lowers body condition, limits foraging, stresses eggs and chicks, and can cause dehydration or nest abandonment, the study showed. Researchers warned that even remote, protected tropical forests untouched by humans are seeing heat-driven bird declines, with climate impacts outweighing direct human pressures. Given that nearly half of all bird species are found in tropical regions, the findings signal a major threat to global biodiversity and urge urgent emission cuts and habitat protection to conserve species. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that extreme heat is impacting millions of people around the world, with wildfires and poor air quality compounding the problem, highlighting the importance of early warning and heat-health action plans. WMO issued a bulletin on August 7, stating that data from its members show increasingly frequent global heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures in many regions. According to the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service, July 2025 was the third-warmest July globally (after July 2023 and July 2024). The average sea surface temperature was also the third-highest on record. Arctic sea ice extent ranked joint second-lowest for July in the 47-year satellite record, virtually tied with 2012 and 2021. In July, within Europe, heatwave conditions particularly affected Sweden and Finland, which experienced an unusually long spell of temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Southeast Europe also faced heatwaves and wildfire activity.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store