Diversity and Distribution of Orthopteran Insects in Bihar, India
Rajnish Ranjan
Gangetic Plains Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Patna, Bihar-800026, India.
Ravi Shankar Kumar *
Directorate of Education, Delhi-110053, India.
Rahul Kumar
Gangetic Plains Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Patna, Bihar-800026, India.
Veena Kumari
Gangetic Plains Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Patna, Bihar-800026, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Orthoptera are a vital component of terrestrial ecosystems, contributing significantly to nutrient cycling and serving as prey and survivals for various predators. Understanding the species richness and diversity of orthoptera fauna is crucial for developing conservation strategies and maintaining ecological balance in the Bihar region. Previous studies have documented the orthoptera fauna in various parts of India, highlighting the diversity and ecological roles of these insects. However, there is a paucity of detailed research focusing specifically on the orthoptera species richness and diversity in different habitats of the Bihar region.
This study investigating the orthoptera fauna in the different districts of Bihar i.e. Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Vaishali & Kaimur that provide insights into habitat preferences and the impact of environmental factors on species distribution. After consulting various books and research papers related to orthoptera order it is found that a total of 104 species of orthoptera are reported from the state of Bihar, India. Globally about 29434 species and about 1274 species from India of orthoptera are known to science.
The study highlights the rich orthopteran biodiversity in Bihar and underscores the importance of continued research in this region. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing data, identify potential knowledge gaps, and serve as a foundation for future ecological and taxonomic studies on Orthoptera in Bihar.
Keywords: Bihar, diversity, ecological balance, orthoptera, taxonomic studies, terrestrial ecosystems