Journal of Basic and Applied Research International

Geometer moths (family Geometridae) are ecologically important insects that serve as herbivores, pollinators, and sensitive bioindicators of environmental change in forest ecosystems. However, the diversity and distribution of these moths remain poorly documented in many protected areas of Central India, including Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary, highlighting the need for baseline faunal surveys and conservation studies. The current study is the first to provide information on the Geometridae moth species of Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. Thus, our goal was to studies on this family are crucial due to their high species diversity, sensitivity to climate change and widespread, often threatened habitat. The survey was conducted in order to explore the species diversity of Geometer moths during three surveys in 2022 to 2023. Moths were collected by light traps, light sheets, and insect nets in different forest ranges of the sanctuary. A total of 29 species, belonging to 21 genera across 3 subfamilies of Geometridae moths, were recorded. The subfamily Ennominae (13 and 19) had the highest number of genera and species, followed by Geometrinae (5 and 5), Sterrhinae (3 and 5), and had the lowest. As such we bring new knowledge about Geometer moth reported from the study area. This observation provides a confirmed record of the species diversity across the different forest ranges of Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary, contributing to regional faunal documentation of the wildlife sanctuaries and other conservation areas of Madhya Pradesh.