If moths and butterflies belong to the same order of insects, why is it that the former is less popular? Ahead of a mothing event in Kharghar, Dr V Shubhalaxmi Reddy — known as the Moth Lady — shares that the primary reason behind moths getting overshadowed by butterflies is timing. “Butterflies come out in the day, when we are around and can see them, and retire by evening, like us. That’s when moths come out. But we don’t go out looking for them at night. Our general introduction to moths is the tiny, dull-looking ones that come and sit on our tubelights. So, people think they aren’t attractive. It’s only when people watch them during mothing do they realise how attractive moths can be,” she says.

Tasar silk moth is a common emperor moth. The queen’s flower and wild ber plants growing in Kharghar are a common place to find its caterpillars. Pic Courtesy/Sachin Chorge