SE Asian clearwing moth recorded for first time in India at Buxa
2
3
Kolkata: A clearwing moth species first spotted in Myanmar in 2004 and later sighted in South China, Vietnam, and Malaysia has now been recorded at the Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal.
This is the first record of the moth and the genus, Scoliokona, in India.
Nature Mates founder Arjan Basu Roy and Titli Trust founder trustee Sanjay Sondhi spotted the clearwing moth in 2022 near Jayanti village along a stream, Gue Nullah, that flows into the Jayanti river in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR). The discovery occurred during a butterfly diversity project at BTR from 2018 to 2022.
"We initially thought it was a wasp, but on closer inspection with binoculars, Sanjay realised it was a moth.
Since it was unlike anything we saw in India before, we netted it for future reference," recounted Basu Roy.
After completing the project in Buxa, they examined the specimen and began referencing material on moths. That is when they suspected it could belong to the genus Scoliokona, recorded by lepidopterists Axel Kallies and Yutaka Arita in the Philippines in 1998. The species they recorded was named after the duo as Kallies & Arita, 1998.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Alerta: Você tem zumbido no ouvido? Dica de ouro pode aliviar!
Zumbido no ouvido
Undo
However, Basu Roy and Sondhi were unsure. After preparing the specimen and photographing the upper side, underside, and lateral view of it with the head close-up as well as the genitalia, they approached Prof Kallies for confirmation.
After studying the photographs, Kallies confirmed that the moth was indeed from the genus Scoliokona, and the species is one named after him. A scientific note was subsequently published in Tropical Lepidoptera Research to record the first confirmed record of the species Scoliokona Kallies in India.
It is also the first record of the genus Scoliokona from India. Tropical Lepidoptera Research is a full-colour journal published twice a year by the Association for Tropical Lepidoptera at McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, US.
'This is the extension of the western boundary of the moth species found in South-East Asia. The genus Scoliokona was first spotted in the Philippines in 1968 but described by Kallies and Arita three decades later.
The species recorded in Buxa is one among 15 species to be recorded in the South-East Asian region, with its type locality from Myanmar," said Basu Roy.
"The first record of this genus from India shows how little we know about moths in India. Moths are important pollinators and play a crucial role in nature. We need to protect their habitats and continue to document our biodiversity. Loss of habitat, increased light pollution, and use of pesticides are looming anthropogenic threats faced by moths in India," says Sondhi.
The pinned specimen is currently at the Biodiversity Lab Research Collections at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bengaluru.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Not Just Obesity And Heart Disease, Processed Foods Might Also Cause Lung Cancer, Study Finds
Studies have already established that processed food leads to several chronic health conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Now, a group of scientists have found that people who consume high amounts of processed foods face increased risks of developing lung cancer. The large-scale study, published in the medical journal Thorax, analysed diet patterns of over 100,000 individuals and tracked them for an average of 12 years. The study found a 41 per cent higher risk of developing lung cancer among individuals who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods. The association persisted even after accounting for smoking habits and overall diet quality. According to the scientists, these ultra-processed foods promote systemic inflammation, creating an environment conducive to tumour growth. They negatively alter the gut microbiome, weakening the immune system. Formed by high sugar content, the ultra-processed foods contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation. These foods are also typically low in essential nutrients, which are vital for immune function and DNA repair. In the study, the researchers included packaged snacks, instant noodles, sweetened beverages, processed meats, frozen meals, and more. Notably, BMJ Group, which is the publisher of the British Medical Journal, noted that as this is an observational study. It said, "No firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect." "In addition, dietary information was collected only once, so we couldn't account for changes over time, and the number of cancer diagnoses was small." How Occupational Exposure And Genetics Cause Lung Cancer Experts have issued a warning as lung cancer is no longer a smoker's disease only; it can impact almost everyone. Smoking remains the major cause globally, as a concerning number of patients diagnosed today have never smoked a cigarette. But several other factors may also lead to this disease. Individuals working in construction, mining, textile manufacturing and transportation are often exposed to asbestos, silica dust, coal tar, arsenic, and diesel exhaust, all classified as Group 1 carcinogens (IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer). "Occupational exposures often do not require decades of exposures to have an effect, and even medium duration of exposures without proper safety equipment can result in lung cancer," Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department - Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, told NDTV. Genetic abnormalities and family history comprise a significant factor in the development of non-smoking lung cancer. "The identified mutations (primarily EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor mutations) being relatively prevalent in Indian and East Asian women without a smoking history, have demonstrated deleterious cellular transformation that causes lung cells to grow uncontrollably without other clinical factors indicating lung cancer risk," Dr Lokeshwaran added.
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Economic Times
Blame your parents for how food smells to you, your genes play a major role
A groundbreaking genetic study reveals that our DNA significantly influences how we perceive and react to everyday smells. Researchers identified specific genes, like OR6A2 for coriander and OR10G4 for wood smoke, that trigger diverse reactions. These findings also link smell sensitivity to Alzheimer's risk, opening doors for personalized scents and early detection of neurological decline. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads If you've ever wrinkled your nose at the scent of coriander or found the smell of coffee strangely unappealing, science has a surprising answer, your DNA may be to blame. A groundbreaking genetic study has revealed that how we perceive, and emotionally react to, everyday smells isn't just a matter of taste or memory. Among the most compelling findings is a link to the OR6A2 gene , which influences how people perceive aldehydes, compounds found in coriander. People with a specific variant of this gene often describe the herb as having a soapy or foul taste, an aversion more common among people of East Asian and European from Leipzig University in Germany have uncovered key genetic differences that help explain why certain smells, and the foods associated with them, trigger completely opposite reactions in different people. The study, published in PLOS Biology , is the largest genetic investigation ever conducted on human olfaction, analyzing how over 21,000 people of European descent perceive 12 everyday they found was surprising, ten distinct regions of DNA, seven previously unknown, influence how we experience specific odors like clove, cinnamon, peppermint, orange, and fish. Some of these regions had sex-specific effects, offering insights into why men and women may perceive scents differently, particularly during hormonal changes such as pregnancy or striking example is the OR10G4 gene, which shapes how people react to guaiacol, the compound that gives wood smoke its distinctive scent. While some described it as nostalgic and cozy, others compared it to burning rubber. These emotional reactions came down to slight differences in just a few olfactory receptor this isn't just about coriander or candles. The study uncovered a significant link between smell sensitivity and Alzheimer's disease risk, indicating that smell testing could help detect early neurological decline. Loss of smell has already been observed in conditions like Parkinson's, COVID-19, and findings also open up commercial possibilities. With scent personalization now a growing trend, companies may soon use genetic testing to tailor perfumes, household cleaners, or even skincare products to suit an individual's olfactory next time someone turns up their nose at your favorite scent, don't take it personally, it might just be genetic.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Blame your parents for how food smells to you, your genes play a major role
If you've ever wrinkled your nose at the scent of coriander or found the smell of coffee strangely unappealing, science has a surprising answer, your DNA may be to blame. A groundbreaking genetic study has revealed that how we perceive, and emotionally react to, everyday smells isn't just a matter of taste or memory. Among the most compelling findings is a link to the OR6A2 gene , which influences how people perceive aldehydes, compounds found in coriander. People with a specific variant of this gene often describe the herb as having a soapy or foul taste, an aversion more common among people of East Asian and European ancestry. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Data Analytics Digital Marketing Public Policy Others Management MCA Artificial Intelligence others Project Management Data Science PGDM Healthcare CXO Operations Management healthcare Degree Design Thinking MBA Data Science Cybersecurity Leadership Product Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Researchers from Leipzig University in Germany have uncovered key genetic differences that help explain why certain smells, and the foods associated with them, trigger completely opposite reactions in different people. The study, published in PLOS Biology , is the largest genetic investigation ever conducted on human olfaction, analyzing how over 21,000 people of European descent perceive 12 everyday smells. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo What they found was surprising, ten distinct regions of DNA, seven previously unknown, influence how we experience specific odors like clove, cinnamon, peppermint, orange, and fish. Some of these regions had sex-specific effects, offering insights into why men and women may perceive scents differently, particularly during hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menstruation. Another striking example is the OR10G4 gene, which shapes how people react to guaiacol, the compound that gives wood smoke its distinctive scent. While some described it as nostalgic and cozy, others compared it to burning rubber. These emotional reactions came down to slight differences in just a few olfactory receptor genes. Live Events But this isn't just about coriander or candles. The study uncovered a significant link between smell sensitivity and Alzheimer's disease risk, indicating that smell testing could help detect early neurological decline. Loss of smell has already been observed in conditions like Parkinson's, COVID-19, and dementia. The findings also open up commercial possibilities. With scent personalization now a growing trend, companies may soon use genetic testing to tailor perfumes, household cleaners, or even skincare products to suit an individual's olfactory DNA. So next time someone turns up their nose at your favorite scent, don't take it personally, it might just be genetic.
