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 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.