Exploration of Aquatic Edible Insects from the Wetlands of Majuli River Island, Assam, India

Dr. Anup Kumar Doley
Assistant Prof. of Zoology
Majuli College, Kamalabari, Assam, India
Email: anupkumardoley77@gmail.com

Abstract:Aquatic insects have very rich species diversity, though aquatic insects represent only 10% of the insect species and only include 12 orders and they share some of the same orders with terrestrial insects taxonomically. Edible insects have great potential to be human food; among them, aquatic insects have unique characteristics and deserve special attention. Human beings have a very long and rich history of entomophagy, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Aquatic insect are composed of around 76000 specie, found in wide range of aquatic, semi-aquatic habitats from springs , ponds, beels, and lakes to large river. Over 2000 insect species are eaten, edible aquatic insects account for about 15% of the total number. The species belongs to eight orders, namely Coleoptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Diptera, Tricoptera,Megaloptera, Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera. Among them Coleoptera, Odonata and Hemiptera contribute over ¾ of the number of species and they are all predatory. Wetlands of Majuli are permanent, having water throughout the year. Wetland ecosystem provides wide range of environmental as well as socio-economic functions. The resources of these wetlands are important or human nutrition and the state’s economy as they provide a habitat for number of endemic aquatic flora and fauna including edible aquatic insects, fishes, migratory birds and indigenous birds. There are more than 106 nos. of registered and unregistered wetlands are in Majuli river Island. Traditional knowledge of capturing aquatic edible insects along with fishes is rich among the local people of Majuli. Edible aquatic insects are collected both by conventional and nonconventional fishing gears. The present paper highlighted about the aquatic edible insects from wetlands of Majuli and consumed by local people. Keywords: Aquatic edible insects, Wetlands, Majuli River Island.