An Inventory of Moth Fauna in Southern Western Ghats – Vagamon, Kerala

This study at Vagamon Hill station is a solid opening to the diverse moth population of the area. A total of 323 species belonging to 251 genera under 24 families, of 15 superfamilies are recorded through the present study conducted from 2019-2022. The Noctuoidea superfamily is the most abounded one and Choreutoidea, Gelechioidea, Hepialoidea, Immoidea, and Yponomeutoidea are the minimum representatives. The most prominent family is Erebidae with 105 species of moths. Correspondingly the family with only one species are Attevidae, Choreutidae, Hepialidae, Immidae, and Lecithoceridae. The record of 323 species from this area is the initial report and the prior studies recorded 112 species from 8 superfamilies. This data emphasizes ecosystem conservation and protection from over exploitation and destruction.