NATURE

TRABALA GANESHA, male, of the family. A lappet . Bow out, butterfly are suddenly acquiring a different reputation for themselves as the world begins to take notice of them in all their grandeur. Moth-watching is seen as a potential addition to ecotourism initiatives, especially in north-eastern India.

Text & photographs by GEETHA IYER

59 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 a candle has been lit derogatory manner. Agriculturists world. Not any more as the world be- inside me, study them in depth; sericulturists gins to take notice of them in all their for which farm them. Their diversity fascinates grandeur and majesty. They outnum- the sun taxonomists and the general public is ber the butterflies—not in just num- is a moth. beginning to take more notice of bers but in colours, styles and − Maarif1 by Bahauddin Valad them. Moths are suddenly acquiring a diversity. Moth-watching, or moth- different reputation for themselves. ing, is the new hobby on the horizon. THEY are a favourite metaphor For long they suffered a lowly posi- Moth night is an annual celebra- for Fana in Sufi literature. The Bible, tion, while their siblings, the butter- tion throughout Britain and Ireland, on the other hand, treats them in a flies, shone as the beauties of the and its main goal is to raise awareness

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 60 , female. Lappet moth.

MOTHS BEAT BUTTERFLIES not just in numbers but in colours, style and diversity. (Right, top) Cadarena pudoraria, grass moth; (centre) Osteosema sanguinilineata, geometrid moth; (bottom) Zamarda sp., geometrid moth.

61 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 butterflies, the rest being moths. Sci- entists believe that there should be an about moths. Since 2012, the Nation- equal, if not far greater number of ACTIAS MAENAS, al Moth Week is celebrated every year them yet to be discovered and esti- male, the moon in July in different parts of the world. mate close to five lakh species existing moth. In 2013, several people were part of both in the wild and in urbanised ar- this event in India. Mothing is slowly eas. From the lowly position of a pest multicoloured to white, moths could beginning to be seen as a potential to a creature that is now “cool” and be a designer’s inspiration. It is not addition to ecotourism initiatives, es- “fun” to watch, what has changed and merely adult moths that are colourful, pecially for communities in north- what is fascinating about them? their caterpillars are equally lively and eastern India. For the cash-strapped display rich and vibrant patterns, north-eastern communities, this is an BEWILDERING SHADES imaginatively so. These images are incentive to conserve wildlife to gen- Visual beauty is a great attractant. more eloquent than words. erate income. Moth-watching is easy. The butterfly should bow in front of Moths redefine the notion of Moths are among the successful the moth. It will take several gener- mimicry and take it to a totally new and diverse groups of organisms to ations for the butterfly to come any- level. The hook-tip moth, Macrocilix have evolved on earth. Worldwide, where close to the bewildering shades maia, sports on its wings a painting of there are close to 200,000 species of and hues of every possible colour a fly feeding on bird droppings. On a of which only 15,000 are moths display. From gaudy to bright, white background, this entire picture

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 62 AGATHIA LAETATA, emerald moth.

APSARASA RADIANS, belonging to the Noctuidae family. NYGMIA SP., commonly known as tussock moth.

takes prominence, and its predators for showcasing nature’s art? It would are fooled into thinking that there is a not be an exaggeration to say that fly. there is poetry in their wings. The recently discovered Lygodi- um spider moth, Siamusotima, has SIZE AND SHAPE patterns that make it look like a spider Quaint, intriguing, unusual and full of with orange legs. Tiny details, such as character, moths come in all shapes the hair on the legs of spiders, are not and sizes. They may be as small as a left out of this composition. The atlas pinhead and as large as a human moth is so designed that from a dis- hand. The atlas moth is the largest tance it would appear as two creatures one, and it occurs in South-East Asia (like a snake or an eagle, the choice is and India. The hawkmoths, or Sphin- yours) and not a single moth. No other gids, are among the most aerodynam- creature in the world mimics ically shaped ones and an important with such elan as moths do, the details pollinator among moths. The hum- have to be seen to be believed. Some mingbird hawkmoth hovers and sips moths such as nobilis or Syn- nectar from flowers just like the bird typistis pallidifascia would give the after which it takes its name. The African shaman a run for his money. hook-tip moths have hooked wing Are the wings of the moth the canvas ends, while the swallow-tailed moths

63 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 HAMODES PROPITIA, moth. have tailed wings. The emerald moths dentally brush against your body. in the case of the infamous clothes of the family Geometridae, in dazzling There are goat moths, leopard moths, moth which likes to feed on your war- shades of green, are both graceful and tiger moths, jasmine moths and owlet drobe. But then one would under- exquisite. Geometrids come in other moths, but such common names are stand why the caterpillar needs to be colours, too. The prominent moths rare, most of them being known by such a voracious eater. Most adult —named as such because they have a their, often tongue-twisting, biolog- moths do not eat all. They do not pos- tuft of hair at the trailing edge of their ical names. This and the lack of re- sess any mouth parts or elaborate or- wings that stands up during rest sources such as field guides and books gans of the digestive system. Hence, —may not be as dazzling as the rest of are the reason why we do not discuss the total energy needed for the cater- their brethren, but their caterpillars them the way we discuss butterflies. pillar to transform itself into a pupa, are extraordinary mimics. The cater- But all that is set to change soon. build the silky cocoon, metamorphose pillars of arctiid moths are perhaps into an adult and then find a mate to more familiar to us. Children call FASCINATING LIFESTYLE procreate has to come from the food them itchy poochi (), a reference In most cases, it is not adult moths but eaten at the caterpillar stage. The ca- to the itching caused if its hairs acci- caterpillars that are destructive, even terpillar must eat, and when it does,

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 64 BAORISA HIEROGLYPHICA. humans have a problem. But like nomists use light traps, pheromone wasps and driver ants are common plants and other creatures that have traps or sticky fermented solutions to visitors to a moth screen as they gorge adapted to survive their onslaught, attract them. Tie a white cloth and on them. Some arrive to find their humans, too, are finding ways to do hang a bright white light over it. This mates under the light. Yet others so; except that in the process (by using is your moth screen. Draw up a chair come to bask in the warmth. chemicals) we end up harming our and watch them as they come to the own species. screen. Once settled on the screen, MOTHS AND LIGHT Moths are clever creatures. When they do not leave soon and you can Why are moths attracted to white the conditions are unfavourable they look at them for a long time. White light? There are several hypotheses. remain within their cocoon for ex- light, shining over a light-coloured The standard explanation relates this tended periods of time until the envi- wall will serve the purpose quite well. to navigation. Moths evolved when ronment becomes suitable for the Very soon, you will delight in the dra- there were no artificial lights. Like adults to emerge. ma unfolding on the light screen. In- humans, they too relied on the rays of Looking for moths is not difficult sect predators soon arrive on the light from celestial objects for naviga- at all. They come to light easily. Taxo- screen. Praying mantises, pompilid tion. In a phenomenon described as

65 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 66 ATTACUS ATLAS. Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world.

67 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 BRIHASPA ATROSTIGMELLA, snout moth. NEOCHERA MARMOREA, noctuid moth.

MACROCILIX MAIA.

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 68 IT IS NOT merely the adult moths that are lively. Their caterpillars too display rich and vibrant patterns. transverse orientation, moths and right? Western science, though, does flame is symbolic of romance, self- other fly maintaining a con- not accept Calhan’s view, as it cannot transformation or ultimate search for stant angle relative to the closest explain the moths’ greater attraction the truth. The story in verse from Fa- source of light. Not all agree though to ultraviolet rays. For the spiritual rid ud-Din Attar’s Persian epic Maqa- the explanation is accepted for mi- minded, a moth’s self-annihilation mat-ut-Tuyur (The Conference of the grating moths. What about moths fly- has a totally different meaning. Birds) goes like this: ing towards the campfire or a candle For poets, artists and philoso- One night moths gather to find flame? Says Dr Irengbam Mohendra phers, moths’ attraction for the out the truth about the can- Singh: “A moth flying to a candle dlelight. They decide that flame maintaining the same angle will one among them must in- TROTOCRASPEDA hit the flame sooner or later because vestigate this light. A young DIVARICATA, the candle is not at optical infinity... moth flies until he notices Geometrid moth. the moth will keep the light at from a distance a candle the same angle, start circling burning inside a palace. He and spiralling in. An incan- comes back to report. The el- descent flame creates hot air derly moth—their mentor- above and the moth will fry and —dismisses his report, drop dead, even if it is not trapped claiming it to be of no value. by the flame.” The entomologist Another moth then goes in to see Philip Calhan, who discovered lumi- this candle flame, finds it, circles nescent pheromones, had a different around the aura of the light, re- hypothesis. He maintained that the turns to relate his experience. The infrared spectrum of a candle flame mentor shakes his head and tells had frequencies similar to those emit- the moth that he bore no signs of ted by the pheromones from a female having fathomed the nature of the moth. This meant that male moths flame’s shine. A third moth then were dying trying to mate with the takes off, dances around the flame candle flame. Did the Sufi poets get it in such frenzy that soon the flames

69 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 LYGODIUM, SPIDER MOTH. LOPHARTHRUM COMPRIMENS.

CALLAMBULYX RUBRICOSA RUBRICOSA, male hawkmoth. THYMISTIDA CF. TRIPUNCTATA, hook-tip moth.

MOTHS OF THE GEOMETRIDAE FAMILY come in dazzling shades of green and other colours. (Top left) Tanaorhinus, (top right) Pseudeuchlora kafebera, (above left) Thinopteryx crocoptera, and (above right) Lotaphora iridicolor.

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 70 , SYNTYPISTIS PHANTOM MOTH. pallidifascia, lappet moth. prominent moth.

OURAPTERYX MARGINATA, swallow-tailed moth. ASOTA TORTUOSA.A YPONOMEUTIDAE, forest scene on the wings. Attera species.

BRAHMAEA HEARSEYI, brahmid moth. DEATH'S-HEAD BARSINE FLAMMEALIS, hawkmoth. arctiid moth.

MOTHS BELONGING TO THE ARCTIIDAE FAMILY. Cyana cf effracta, Cyana gazella, Cyana sp., and Cyana adita.

71 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 engulf his entire body. Noticing the candle’s sudden extra blaze, the men- tor comments that the third moth, by surrendering himself to the flame, had found the truth they were seek- ing. Historically, moths are not known for inspiring poets, for making or eat- ing silk, or for their romance with the CATERPILLARS are voracious eaters. Most adult moths do not eat at all. light bulb. The term “debugging”

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 72 CIFUNA LOCOPLES EMERGING from its cocoon. Moths are clever creatures. When the conditions are unfavourable, they remain in the cocoon for extended periods of time until the environment becomes suitable for the adult to emerge.

came into common parlance thanks one of its panels. It was removed and es of the animal kingdom. They are to a moth and the computer scientist affixed to the log, with a note that this pollinators, a fact rarely known to the Grace Murray Hopper, a Rear Admi- was the first case of an actual bug layman. They are not easily spotted ral of the United States Navy, who being found and that the “machine during daytime, but when spotted are popularised the term “debugging the has been debugged”. This moth, with mistaken for butterflies. Theirs is a system”. When the Mark II Aiken Re- the log entry, is now on display at the secretive nightlife. Why then this vi- lay Calculator (a very primitive com- Smithsonian Institution’s National brancy, colour and design? If an adult puter) was being tested by her team at Museum of American History in in all its magnificence emerges only Harvard University on September 9, Washington2. They are pests but so for procreation, it is surely among na- 1947, a moth was found trapped in are butterflies, birds and other beauti- ture’s intriguing creations. Maybe,

73 FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 OCINARA SP., bombycid moth. AUZEA RUFIFRONTATA, swallow-tailed moth.

EUDOCIMA SIKHIMENSIS, fruit-piercing moth.

CELERENA SIGNATA, female, geometrid moth.

but the moth may have a different References point of view: 1. From the translated version of Maarif ...our attitude towards life by Coleman Barks and John Moyne. is come easy go easy we are like human beings 2. http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/ used to be before they became tek1/first_comput- RAPDALUS too civilised to enjoy themselves... er_bug_large.htm.Photo of the log with PARDICOLOR, —“The lesson of the moth”3. the moth. Cossid or goat moth. July 19-24 is the National Moth 3. From The Lives and Times of Archy and week. Be part of it. २ Mehitabel by Don Marquis; page 96.

FRONTLINE . FEBRUARY 7, 2014 74