First Record of a Shendurney Hunter Hawkmoth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) from Tamil Nadu, India

Lepidoptera, an order of insects comprising moths and butterflies, is one of the largest and most diverse groups, with approximately 1,66,320 described species worldwide. Among the diverse families of moths, Sphingidae, commonly known as hawk moths or sphinx moths, stands out due to its ecological significance. This study reports, for the first time, the occurrence of Theretra shendurneensis Sondhi, Kitching, Basu & Kunte, 2017 from Tamil Nadu, from outside of its type locality. These moths are not only essential pollinators but also serve as important environmental indicators, reflecting the health of ecosystems and changes in climate. The decline in their populations could lead to negative impacts on plant biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Despite their ecological importance, the Sphingidae family, including the Theretra genus, remains underexplored, highlighting the need for further research and conservation efforts to protect these valuable species.