Guwahati: Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, renowned for its rhinos, elephants, and tigers, has documented 283 species of native insects and spiders in its first-ever survey, released on Saturday.
Of these, 254 species are insects and 29 are spiders — a significant finding that officials say highlights the park’s lesser-known biodiversity and its importance in addressing climate change.
The study identified 85 species of butterflies and moths, 40 species of ants, bees, and wasps, and 35 species of beetles.
The report, titled ‘Explorative Study of Insects and Spiders of the Woodland Habitat of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve’, documented an impressive diversity of species in the woodland track of Panbari Reserve Forest under Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, a park official said.
The survey was carried out and published by entomologists from the Corbett Foundation, with support from the forest staff of Kaziranga National Park.
The findings underscore the urgent need to prioritise insect conservation, particularly as climate change poses an increasing threat to species survival.
The survey reveals the park’s often-overlooked microfaunal richness and establishes a vital baseline for future research and conservation, officials added.
Globally, nearly 40 per cent of insect species are in decline due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change.
The study noted that although Kaziranga is famed for its large animals, its ecological resilience equally relies on the small pollinators, soil aerators, and natural pest controllers that sustain the park’s ecosystem.
These insects and spiders are vital ecological indicators of a healthy environment, essential for seed dispersal, soil health, and plant regeneration, forming the very foundation of the food web that sustains Kaziranga’s iconic wildlife, according to the report.
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Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are already transforming habitats across Northeast India, and this study serves as a timely reminder that conserving insects and spiders is essential not only for preserving biodiversity but also for strengthening climate-resilient ecosystems, the official said.
