Butterflies and Moths in India: ZSI Releases First Comprehensive National Catalogue

India completes its first comprehensive catalogue of butterflies and moths, documenting 13,703 Lepidoptera species after a 12-year ZSI survey.

Table of Contents

India has achieved a major milestone in biodiversity documentation with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) releasing the country’s first comprehensive national catalogue of butterflies and moths. Compiled over 12 years, the catalogue documents 13,703 species of Lepidoptera found across India and provides a standardized scientific reference for biodiversity research, conservation planning, and ecological monitoring.

The catalogue consolidates more than a century of scattered taxonomic records into a single authoritative database, making it one of the most significant contributions to India’s biodiversity documentation in recent years.

Why is it in News?

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has completed India’s first-ever comprehensive catalogue of butterflies and moths. Published in 22 volumes, with the final volume appearing in the international journal Zootaxa, the catalogue establishes an updated national baseline for Lepidoptera diversity.

What is the National Catalogue of Butterflies and Moths?

The catalogue is a scientific inventory of all known butterfly and moth species recorded in India. It standardizes species names, updates taxonomic classifications, and resolves ambiguities that accumulated over decades of independent research.

It is expected to become the primary national reference for:

Biodiversity assessment
Species identification
Ecological monitoring
Conservation planning
Climate change research
Pest management

Key Highlights of India’s Butterfly and Moth Catalogue

Particular	Details
Lead Institution	Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
Time Taken	12 Years
Total Species Recorded	13,703
Total Genera	3,705
Subfamilies	240
Families	102
Superfamilies	31
Catalogue Volumes	22
Final Publication	Zootaxa
India’s Share of Global Lepidoptera	8.25%

Major Findings of the Catalogue

The survey highlights India’s exceptional insect diversity.

Geometroidea Dominates the Records

The final volume documents:

2,205 species belonging to the Geometroidea superfamily.
Distributed across 479 genera.
Represents 8.8% of the world’s known Geometridae species.

Family-wise Distribution

Family	Number of Species
Geometridae	2,100
Uraniidae	95
Epicopeiidae	9
Pseudobistonidae	1

India’s Rich Lepidoptera Diversity

The catalogue reveals India’s remarkable butterfly and moth diversity.

India currently has:

13,703 species
3,705 genera
240 subfamilies
102 families
31 superfamilies

These species are distributed across diverse ecosystems, including:

Himalayan mountains
Western Ghats
Northeast India
Tropical rainforests
Dry deciduous forests
Grasslands
Coastal ecosystems
Island ecosystems

What is Lepidoptera?

Lepidoptera is one of the largest insect orders, comprising butterflies and moths.

Characteristics

Wings covered with microscopic scales
Complete metamorphosis (egg–larva–pupa–adult)
Long coiled feeding tube (proboscis)
Mostly herbivorous larvae (caterpillars)
Adults primarily feed on nectar

Globally, Lepidoptera is among the most diverse insect groups and plays an essential role in ecosystem functioning.

Ecological Importance of Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and moths are indispensable to healthy ecosystems.

Pollination

Many butterfly and moth species pollinate flowering plants.

While butterflies are active during the day, many moths act as important nocturnal pollinators, supporting plant reproduction after sunset.

Food Chain

They serve as food for numerous animals, including:

Birds
Bats
Reptiles
Amphibians
Small mammals
Predatory insects

Their abundance helps maintain balanced ecosystems.

Bio-indicators of Environmental Health

Butterflies are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

Their population trends help scientists monitor:

Habitat degradation
Climate change
Pollution
Deforestation
Ecosystem health

Importance in Agriculture

Several moth species are agricultural pests affecting food crops and forests.

Accurate species identification supports:

Pest management
Crop protection
Biological control
Sustainable agriculture

Significance of the Catalogue

The catalogue is expected to become a critical scientific resource for India.

Its importance includes:

Establishing a national biodiversity baseline.
Standardizing taxonomic records.
Supporting conservation strategies.
Facilitating climate change research.
Improving Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Strengthening ecological monitoring.
Assisting species discovery and future research.
Supporting international biodiversity reporting under global environmental agreements.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

The Zoological Survey of India is India’s premier institution for faunal research and taxonomy.

Particular	Details
Established	1916
Headquarters	Kolkata
Ministry	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Nature	National faunal survey and taxonomic research organization