Two rare species of moths recorded in Nagpur for the first time in India

Staff Reporter :

Researcher Rahul Bhende’s study adds significant value to Indian moth diversity 

Two rare species of moths Strotihypera Macroplaga and Sarbanissa Subflava have been recorded first time in the country which also revealed important information about their geographical distribution in Central India. Nagpur based researcher Rahul Babanrao Bhende has recorded these two species and the study has been recently published in the international journal ‘Bionotes’. The species was recorded during a survey conducted by the Department of Postgraduate Studies in Zoology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). Five specimens of Strotihypera macroplaga were found on the university premises on January 28, 2026 using a 250-watt mercury-vapour light trap.

The species of the adult moths was determined by examining the external physical characteristics of the adults as well as the genitalia of both males and females.This is the first record of Strotihypera Macroplaga in India. Another important feature of this record is that for the first time, the known geographical distribution of the genus ‘Strotihypera’ has been extended to the Deccan Plateau. This species is mainly found in northeastern India, especially in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The discovery of Strotihypera Macroplaga in Nagpur extends the known distribution of this genus from northeastern India to central peninsular India.Strotihypera macroplaga has previously been recorded from Sri Lanka as well as parts of Southeast and East Asia including Thailand, Southwest China, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Its occurrence at an altitude of about 356 meters in Nagpur has provided new information about the geographical and altitudinal distribution of this species.

Presence of Sarbanissa subflava is also a unique discovery in the region. The species mainly active during the day time between July and September in 2025. The researcher recorded three adults of this species during the study.
The moths flew away so quickly that their samples could not be collected.
However, their identification was confirmed based on their characteristic external structure. The study shows that this is the first record of Sarbanissa Subflava in India.
These two records highlight the requirement of more exploration and research on diversity of moths in Central India.