In a significant find for entomology and biodiversity, an uncommon Lappet Moth, scientifically known as Streblote siva and commonly called the Jujube Lappet, has been recorded for the very first time in Maharashtra's Raigad district. The discovery was made in Nagaon village, marking a new entry for the region's faunal records.
The Nocturnal Discovery Team
The moth was initially spotted during a nocturnal biodiversity survey in a seasonal salt-marsh area adjacent to Nagaon beach. The documenting team comprised Mumbai-based wildlife biologist and naturalist Javed Ahmed; wildlife photographer and butterfly expert Bhushan Jadhav; Scotland-based wildlife biologist Chris Cathrine; and south Mumbai-based arachnologist and naturalist Rajashree Khalap. Belgium-based naturalist and wildlife enthusiast Mattis Michel also collaborated on this important find.
This discovery has been formally reported in the 'Ela Journal of Forestry and Wildlife', a peer-reviewed science journal published by the Ela Foundation in association with the Maharashtra State Forest Department.
Ecological Significance and Role of Moths
Commenting on the discovery, Javed Ahmed emphasized the often-overlooked importance of moths. "The diversity of Moths far exceeds their more well-known cousins, the butterflies," he said. "Moths play crucial roles in the equally diverse ecosystems they inhabit, being all-important pollinators, especially in mixed mosaic habitats, including urban and suburban green zones. They also serve as a vital source of food for a wide variety of organisms, ranging from birds to bats."
Ahmed further noted that over 2,000 moth species occur worldwide, with many likely still unnamed or unstudied. He also pointed out the dual nature of some species: "Some species of moths, including the Jujube Lappet Moth, are even pests on several species of commercially important plants. Accurately diagnosing such species, as well as mapping their distribution, is important for economic, as well as ecological reasons."
Mapping the Moth's Distribution in Maharashtra
This recent sighting expands the known range of the Streblote siva within Maharashtra. Prior to this Raigad district record, the species had only been documented in two other districts:
- Mumbai Suburban District
- Thane District
The new record from Raigad District is therefore the third and most recent location for this species in the state, providing valuable data for understanding its habitat preferences and distribution patterns.
The discovery underscores the rich, yet partially undocumented, biodiversity present in Maharashtra's varied ecosystems, from coastal salt-marshes to urban green pockets, and highlights the continuous need for systematic wildlife documentation.
