ZSI Completes First Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India Documenting 13,703 Species

2 August 2026National

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) completed the first comprehensive Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India on 30 July 2026 after a 12-year documentation exercise, recording 13,703 species of butterflies and moths. Lepidoptera is the insect order comprising butterflies (Rhopalocera) and moths (Heterocera); India hosts roughly 68.5% of the world's known butterfly diversity. The catalogue consolidates taxonomic data scattered for over a century and supports biodiversity conservation and research. ZSI was established in 1916, HQ Kolkata, West Bengal; Director: Dhriti Banerjee. India's State Butterfly is the Southern Birdwing (adopted 2023).

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ZSI established 1916, HQ Kolkata | Director: Dhriti Banerjee | India's State Butterfly: Southern Birdwing | Lepidoptera = butterflies + moths

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The ZSI's first Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India documents 13,703 butterfly and moth species after a 12-year effort.

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