Context

Recently, the Zoological Survey of India published a book entitled, ‘An Illustrated Guide to the Lepidoptera of India’.

An Illustrated Guide on the Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) of India

• Aim: To bring a summary of the main diagnostic characters for all the families and superfamilies of Butterflies and Moths found in India. 
• Diversity: Global Lepidoptera is updated to 166,320 species, 143 families and 43 superfamilies.
  • 13,124 species, 101 families and 31 superfamilies occur in India. 
• Heliocosmidae: The authors rectified a taxonomic glitch and described a new family of Lepidoptera i.e., Heliocosmidae.

About Lepidoptera

• Order Lepidoptera: Consists of species of butterflies, moths, and skippers. 
• Features: 
• • Almost all adult lepidopterans have two pairs of wings with a large wingspan compared to the size of its body. 
  • Presence of a mouthpart in the form of a coilable proboscis that acts as a straw to consume liquid food.
• Life Cycle Of Lepidopterans: Consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago).

Importance of Lepidoptera:

• Pollination: Important pollinators for many plant species as they feed on nectar, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, aiding in the reproduction of plants.
• Biodiversity: Their presence indicates the health of an ecosystem, and their diversity reflects the diversity of plants and other organisms within it.
• Indicator Species: Certain species of butterflies and moths are considered indicator species, meaning their presence or absence can indicate the health of an ecosystem. 
• Food Source: They form an integral part of food webs, contributing to the balance of ecosystems, serving as a crucial food source for many other organisms, including birds, small mammals, and other insects. 
• Economic Importance: Some species of butterflies, such as the monarch butterfly, have economic importance in areas such as ecotourism. 
• Scientific Research: Lepidoptera are studied by scientists for various reasons, including understanding their behavior, life cycles, and ecological roles.