About Lepidoptera:
- It is an insect order comprising species of butterflies and moths.
- This order of insects is second in size only to Coleoptera, the beetles.
- The name ‘’Lepidoptera’’ is derived from the Greek, meaning “scaly winged,” and refers to the characteristic covering of microscopic dustlike scales on the wings.
- With the exception of a few moths, all adult lepidopterans have two pairs of wings.
- Because of their day-flying habits and bright colors, the butterflies are more familiar than the chiefly night-flying and dull-colored moths, but the latter are far more varied and abundant.
- Distribution:
- Lepidopterans live on every continent except Antarctica.
- Though they are far more numerous and diversified in the tropics, some species survive at the limits of polar vegetation.
- The life cycle of lepidopterans consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult.
- They are mostly herbivorous (folivorous) as caterpillars and nectarivorous as adults.
- They play an important role in the natural ecosystem as pollinators and serve as primary consumers in the food chain.
- Conversely, their larvae (caterpillars) are considered very problematic to vegetation in agriculture, as they consume large quantities of plant matter (mostly foliage) to sustain growth.
- Silkworm (Bombyx mori), a moth, is the source of commercial silk.
Catalogue of Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) of India:
- India is home to 13,703 species of lepidoptera, which is about 25% of the total lepidoptera found across the globe.
- Of the 13,703 species of lepidoptera, 1,417 are butterflies, and the remaining 12,286 are moths.
- Among the 13,703 species of lepidoptera, the scientists have identified and catalogued 2,205 species of Geometroidea, nocturnal pollinators taking over the “night shift” when daytime butterflies rest.
- These 2,205 species account for 8% of the world’s known species in this superfamily.
