Calendar Campaign
Since 2006, Oikos has been sharing monthly calendars as desktop wallpapers as part of a digital campaign aimed at raising awareness about nature, biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. Each year, a new theme is highlighted through 12 calendar wallpapers, offering a fresh perspective on various aspects of the natural world. Brief information about the topic is also shared along with the image on all our social media platforms and over email.
You can download the current month's calendar for standard (1280x1024), wide (1920x1080), and mobile (1080x1920) screens using the links below.
View / download older calendars here!
2026 : Moths : July
:: Wallpaper for July 2026 ::
: M O T H S :
Dear Friends,
Parasa lepida belongs to the family of Slug caterpillar moths (Limacodidae). Its caterpillar, popularly known as the Blue-striped Nettle Grub, resembles a tiny slug and glides smoothly over leaves rather than crawling like most caterpillars. The species occurs across the Indo-Malayan region, including India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The Blue-striped Nettle Grub can deliver a painful sting if accidentally touched. Its body is covered in tiny stinging spines connected to venom glands, which can cause intense burning pain and, in some people, allergic reactions. It is also known as a pest of coconut and oil palm plantations across South and Southeast Asia. Nature, however, keeps a balance. The caterpillars are themselves parasitised by a couple of wasps and flies including the cuckoo wasp Chrysis shanghaiensis.
When it comes to food plants, Parasa lepida is remarkably versatile. Its caterpillars feed on more than 100 plant species from 38 plant families, including Mango (Mangifera indica), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma), Golden Shower (Cassia fistula), Castor (Ricinus communis), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), and Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa), among many others.
The caterpillar's venom has attracted scientific interest. A recent study discovered several previously unknown toxin genes, offering new clues about the evolution of venom in moths and butterflies.
Parasa lepida reminds us that nature is full of surprises - a delicate green moth that begins life as a brilliantly coloured, well-defended caterpillar, each stage revealing a different strategy for survival in the web of life.
Regards,
Ketaki & Manasi
With Team oikos !
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.
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www.oikos.in
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