The Monkey Moth (of the genus Eupterotidae), an insect whose presence has been earlier recorded in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Central India and North West Himalayas, has recently been spotted in the foothills of Pachamalai by a local researcher.
“This is the first time the Eupterote species has been recorded in south India and as there is no evidence (recorded) of it in Western Ghats, the reason might be wide range of larval diet and climate factors here,” said Q. Ashoka Chakkaravarthy, wildlife-ecologist and Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Department of Foundation Courses, St. Joseph’s College, who carried out the study.
This particular species of moth gets its name from its long ‘fur’ that resembles the fur found on monkeys, and stands out due to its brilliant colour. The monkey moth feeds on trees and plants like Sarakkontrai, Karuvalai, Chavuku, tamarind, Common lantana and fig.
Eupterotidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order with more than 300 described species.
The diversity of the family consists of four sub-families and the unplaced Ganissa group.
Insects in this group have a wingspan of 58-80 mm. The forewings have a single medial indistinct slightly curved line. Both wings have a prominent post-medial slightly curved line, Mr. Chakkaravarthy said.
