As many as 118 species of moths, along with a wide range of other nocturnal and diurnal insects, were recorded in the first-ever documentation of moths in Puducherry.

The survey, conducted from July 23 to 26, was organised by Svarnim, Sri Aurobindo Society, with the support of volunteers as part of National Moth Week, the annual international citizen-science-led initiative held every year during the last week of July.

The programme drew 22 participants, including students from Pondicherry University and Puducherry Technological University, researchers, biodiversity enthusiasts, citizen scientists, and local nature lovers from across Puducherry.

The objective of the programme was to document moth diversity, promote awareness about the ecological importance of moths, and generate baseline information on moth diversity for future ecological monitoring. Surveys were conducted after sunset and continued through the night to record both early and late-flying moth species.

The documentation was held at Aurovanam, located near Oussudu, a biodiversity hotspot. It supports a mix of native vegetation, plantations, wetlands, grasslands, and scrub habitat. The event also contributed valuable biodiversity records for Aurovanam, strengthening long-term monitoring of nocturnal insects within the landscape.

According to Ankush Nirmalkar, coordinator of the programme: “Moths, though often overshadowed by butterflies, perform outsized ecological roles. They pollinate flowering plants, act as herbivores that shape vegetation, and serve as a critical food source for birds, bats, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. Their presence and diversity are considered indicators of habitat quality.”

Participants used the standard light-trapping observation technique, setting up a white cotton observation screen illuminated by a mercury blend (MV) light to attract moths and other nocturnal insects from the surrounding vegetation.

Species were photographed and identified using field guides, mobile identification apps, and the citizen-science platform iNaturalist, with no specimens collected. The participants also took part in species identification sessions, informal training on insect taxonomy, night trail walks, herping, and bird watching over the four days.

Representative species documented included Hawaiian Beet Webworm moth, Oriental Banner, Black Looper, Banded Pearl, Arcane Grass Tubeworm, Cream Drab, Maltese Bloom, Mottled Marble, Ilima, Common Fruit-piercing, Dot-underwing, Twoband Ozarba, Tiger Moth, Variable Yellow Underwing, Garass-veneers, Bean leafroller, Teak Defoliator, and Yellow Tussock, among others.

Alongside moths, the survey team also logged a broader biodiversity count from Aurovanam over the four nights: 96 species of butterflies and odonates, 43 species of birds, 29 species of spiders, 12 species of frogs, six species of mammals, two species of reptiles, two species of fish, and one species of snail, according to Mr. Nirmalkar.

Organisers said that a comprehensive checklist of moths in Aurovanam will be developed to monitor seasonal variations in moth diversity.