Moth Week: Experts reveal hotspots for spotting moths in urban spaces

The moth hauntMoths are mostly nocturnal insects attracted to the light So if yoursquore observant about the insects that are attracted towards any light source spotting and photographing a moth is not difficult As one gets to photograph the common moths they may progress to different moths by using specialised mothing lights and moth trapsLook out for thesegtgt Fruitpiercing moth It is known for its bright orange hindwings with dark spots This is normally hidden and is flashed as a deterrent to predators It is notorious for piercing and feeding on fruit juicesDeathrsquoshead hawkmoth PIC COURTESYWikimedia Commonsgtgt Tussar silk moth Known for its large size the commercial production of tussar silk is done from its pupa The moth has brown wings with eyelike spotsgtgt Tropical tiger moth It features bright orange and black coloration It is commonly attracted to lights at nightgtgt Deathrsquoshead hawkmoth Remember the horror flick The Silence of the Lambs The moth in its poster was influenced by this reallife moth It is known for the skulllike pattern on its thoraxIt can produce a squeaking sound when disturbedgtgt Atlas moth This is the largest moth in India While one specimen is currently observed in SGNP it is a rare moth to be observedGrass mothWhere to spot itYou can spot a wide variety of moths in Aarey Forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the late evenings Maharashtra Nature Park oppositeDharavi Bus Depot is another location where these majestic insects can be found in large numbers Some moths are very common and can be observed in the backyard local parks and gardens post sunset as wellShantanu Dey senior naturalistTo invite moths to your home spread a white sheet and install a mercury lamp on a sheltered surface PICS COURTESYDr V SubhalaxmiMoths to a flameMoth week is observed globally to promote the visibility of these nocturnal insects If you study evolution moths came much before butterflies However not many people are interested in them because few are aware of them Butterflies have the same cycle as humans they rise with the sun and go to sleep after sunset In the case of moths they become active at night Hence the only moths we know of are the brown ones that enter houses and are not very colourful So people tend to dislike them But moths outnumber butterflies and can be 10 times more colourful These are usually found in forests at night so most of us are not aware about the diverse beautiful speciesTalaca leaf mothHow to spot itAs most of them are found in the forests the best way to observe them would be to invite them home For this you need to pin a white sheet like a blanket across a sheltered surface Install a mercury lamp and switch on the lamp post sunset It is common knowledge that moths are attracted to light However find a place that does not have other dominating sources of light Then the moth will not come to your setup Find isolated spaces with less light around so that yours stands out If you have something closer to greenery it is all the better Remember not to disturb their schedule Once you have observed them and clicked photos turn off the lights so they can return back to where they came from I usually turn off the lights postmidnight when all the bigger moths have also settled on the sheetThe season for spotting moths begins in June and goes on till October You can look out for grass moths these are typically the smaller ones that are commonly spotted in your balconies Another species that I am fond of are the talaca leaf moths which look exactly like dry leaves Other species commonly found in the city include snout tiger moth moon moth day flying forester moth and fruit piercing moth tea Boston moth and white banded geometer among othersDr V Subhalaxmi founder Ladybird Environmental ConsultingAlso check outTalk on moth photography by Isaac Kehmikar webinarOn July 24 7 pm to 8 pmmessage 9987013144Talk on moth life histories by Priti Chogale webinarOn July 26 7 pm onwardsLog on to inaturewatchMoth month special by Brooker Creek Preserve webinarOn Today 1130 amLog on to brookercreekpreserve registration link in bio