: Wallpaper for January 2026 :

Dear Friends,
Wishing you all a healthy, happy & prosperous new year !!!

Happy to introduce the 21st theme for our wallpaper calendar campaign - *"M O T H S”*

Moths are *close relatives of butterflies* and are often mistaken for them. While there are several differences between the two, one of the most noticeable is their antennae: butterflies have thin antennae with *club-shaped (knobbed) tips*, whereas *moths have feathery, comb-like, or pointed antennae* without a club. Most moths are nocturnal; butterflies are diurnal (active during day).

Moths are fascinating and play an important role in ecosystems. These interesting creatures are all around us - found in cities, homes, gardens, forests, and open spaces. Found in almost every habitat, they help with pollination, serve as vital links in the food chain, and act as indicators of environmental health. With their diverse shapes, colors, and life cycles, moths reveal the richness of biodiversity that exists all around us, even in the most familiar places.
Each species tells a story, whether it's about the health of the environment or the presence of certain plant species. Their life stages are just as captivating as their role in the food chain.

We begin with this striking moth, *_Mangina argus_* - commonly known as the *Crotalaria Pod Borer,* from the family Erebidae. Common name comes from its dependency on _Crotalaria_ shrub as its larval food plant. _Crotalaria_ is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae commonly known as *Rattlepods*.

Erebidae family is one of the largest among moths in terms of species diversity and includes many well-known macromoth groups. Mangina argus is found across India and was first described by Vincenz Kollar, an Austrian entomologist in 1847.

The moth species we’ll be sharing this year were recorded through a collaborative effort between oikos, Ecological Society and the Adhiwas Foundation, made possible by the generous support of our contributors. A dedicated team of volunteers under guidance of Dr Pramod Patil documented fascinating moths and other insects during extensive surveys conducted in select areas around Pune and at two of our project sites - Project Rahal in Shirkoli, Panshet and Biodiversity park by Nisarg sanstha at Tamhini.

Regards,
Ketaki & Manasi
With Team oikos !
*oikos enters its 25th year on 1st January 2026.*

_This text is a part of the Wallpaper Calendar Campaign sent by 'oikos' every month since 2006. The wallpaper campaign will be available on our social media handles and will be shared on WhatsApp._

www.oikos.in

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