Scientists Discover New Forester Moth in Kali Tiger Reserve

Scientists from the western regional centre of the Zoological Survey of India in Pune announced a new forester moth species from Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve on 17 June 2026. The species has been named Mimeusemia kali Kalawate & László, 2026, and it is the first addition to the genus Mimeusemia in nearly 30 years.

Forester Moths and Genus Mimeusemia

Forester moths belong to the family Zygaenidae, which includes day-flying moths found in several parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The genus Mimeusemia now includes 30 taxa worldwide, with 23 species and seven subspecies.

Discovery Site and Research Team

The discovery was made in the Kali Tiger Reserve, a protected area in Karnataka within the Western Ghats. The study was led by Aparna Kalawate of the Zoological Survey of India, Pune, in collaboration with Gyula M. László of the Natural History Museum, London.

Identification Features of Mimeusemia kali

Mimeusemia kali was distinguished from related species by its physical characteristics, reproductive structures, and genetic features. The species description was published in the international journal Zootaxa.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Zoological Survey of India was established in 1916 and functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global biodiversity hotspot.
• Kali Tiger Reserve is part of the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.
• Zootaxa is a peer-reviewed zoological journal that publishes taxonomic research on animals.

The genus Mimeusemia now has 30 recognised taxa worldwide, including 23 species and seven subspecies. The discovery adds a new species record from the Western Ghats region.