A moth.
Student wearing a moth clip. Credits: BioImage Club
WCC’s Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology (AZBT) Department celebrated Moth Week from 24 July to 28 July, with events celebrating the importance of moths. The aim of observing this week was to try to gain more attention for these four-winged creatures.
Moth Week was launched with an inaugural ceremony on 25 July at Bamford Hall. The chief guests, Ms. Jomi Jose and Ms. Aswathy Ashok from Chennai's Palluyir Trust, educated students about moths and their unique attributes, such as their role in pollination of plants during the night. On the same day, during the break, students from AZBT performed a flash mob in front of Doveton Block, which depicted a moth’s life cycle.
A moth safari of sorts. Credits: BioImage Club
Moth photoshoot
Mothing, an activity which involves finding and recording moths, was one of the major highlights of Moth Week. This activity lasted from 24 July to 28 July, wherein third year students searched for different kinds of moths in the college campus. The search continued even after college hours. Day scholars looked for moths in their localities, while hostelites used U V lights to attract a variety of moths that are found only at night.
Students with moth print t-shirts they made. Credits: BioImage Club
Nail art competition. Credits: BioImageClub
On July 27, competitions with moths as the theme were conducted for students from both Shift I and II. The competitions held were nail art, T-shirt painting and face painting. Participants created visually stunning pieces which highlighted the unique beauty of moths.
Moth Week ended with a valedictory ceremony on 28 July. The Department's BioImage Club played a pivotal role in organising the various activities. The Club’s President, Nithyavani P G and the Secretary, Elizabeth Andrea Mathews, worked with the Professors, Dr. Vanitha Williams (HOD), Dr. Benitha Golda and Dr. Jhansi Merlin, to make Moth Week interesting and memorable.
According to Elizabeth, moths often get overshadowed by butterflies. Yet moths deserve as much recognition as their iconic cousins. Perhaps with the AZBT department's efforts, these excellent pollinators will receive the appreciation that has long eluded them.