India is home to 13,703 species of lepidoptera, representing about 8.25% of all known species of butterflies and moths, according to a study led by ZSI scientists Navneet Singh and Rahul Joshi. The research, which took nearly 12 years to complete, involved cataloguing, field exploration, museum curation, and rigorous literature verification.
The findings highlight India's significant role in global biodiversity, with its lepidoptera species contributing substantially to the world's total. The study underscores the importance of continued conservation efforts to protect these species from habitat loss and environmental degradation.
The research team conducted extensive fieldwork across the country, collecting and documenting specimens from diverse ecosystems. Their work also involved verifying existing literature to ensure accuracy and completeness of the catalog.
This comprehensive study provides a critical baseline for future research and conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for sustained scientific effort in understanding and preserving India's rich natural heritage. (thehindu.com)
