Insects not only play a significant role in the ecological process of nature but since pre-historic times have also formed a part of the human diet. With a still growing population and skewed demographic structures across most societies of the world, their role as nutrient-rich food has been increasingly advocated by researchers and policymakers globally. In this study, we examine the edible insect diversity and entomophagy attitudes of ethnic people in Manas National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, located in Assam (India). The study involved a field investigation through which the pattern of entomophagy and the attitude towards insect-eating was studied. Following this, we examined the edible insect diversity and abundance at different sampling points. A total of 22 species of edible insects belonging to fifteen families and eight orders were recorded from different habitat types. Out of these 22 species, Orthopterans showed a maximum number of eight species followed by Hymenoptera (four), Hemiptera (three), Lepidoptera (two), Blattodea (two) and one species each from Coleoptera, Odonata, and Mantodea. Dominance, diversity, and equitability indices were computed along with the relative abundance of the insects concerning four habitat types. Aspects of the economic significance of entomophagy were also observed during the field investigation. To manage insects in the interest of food security, more attention should be given to sustainable collecting and rearing methods emphasizing their economic, nutritional, and ecological advantages.

中文翻译：

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印度世界自然遗产地可食用昆虫的多样性：昆虫的态度及其对该地区粮食安全的影响

昆虫不仅在自然界的生态过程中发挥着重要作用，而且自史前时代以来，昆虫也已成为人类饮食的一部分。随着世界上大多数社会的人口不断增长和人口结构扭曲，全球研究人员和政策制定者越来越多地提倡它们作为营养丰富的食物的作用。在这项研究中，我们调查了位于阿萨姆邦（印度）的联合国教科文组织自然世界遗产地玛纳斯国家公园内各民族的食用昆虫多样性和食虫态度。该研究涉及一项实地调查，通过该调查研究了食虫的模式和对昆虫吃的态度。在此之后，我们检查了不同采样点的食用昆虫多样性和丰度。共记录了来自不同生境类型的食用昆虫22种，分属15科8目。在这 22 种物种中，直翅目最多有 8 种，其次是膜翅目（4 种）、半翅目（3 种）、鳞翅目（2 种）、Blattodea（两种）以及鞘翅目、蜻蜓目和螳螂目各 1 种。优势度、多样性和公平性指数与四种栖息地类型的昆虫的相对丰度一起计算。在实地调查期间还观察到了食虫的经济意义方面。为了为了粮食安全而管理昆虫，应更加关注可持续的采集和饲养方法，强调其经济、营养和生态优势。在这 22 种物种中，直翅目最多有 8 种，其次是膜翅目（4 种）、半翅目（3 种）、鳞翅目（2 种）、Blattodea（两种）以及鞘翅目、蜻蜓目和螳螂目各 1 种。优势度、多样性和公平性指数与四种栖息地类型的昆虫的相对丰度一起计算。在实地调查期间还观察到了食虫的经济意义方面。为了为了粮食安全而管理昆虫，应更加关注可持续的采集和饲养方法，强调其经济、营养和生态优势。在这 22 种物种中，直翅目最多有 8 种，其次是膜翅目（4 种）、半翅目（3 种）、鳞翅目（2 种）、Blattodea（两种）以及鞘翅目、蜻蜓目和螳螂目各 1 种。优势度、多样性和公平性指数与四种栖息地类型的昆虫的相对丰度一起计算。在实地调查期间还观察到了食虫的经济意义方面。为了为了粮食安全而管理昆虫，应更加关注可持续的采集和饲养方法，强调其经济、营养和生态优势。Odonata 和 Mantodea。优势度、多样性和公平性指数与四种栖息地类型的昆虫的相对丰度一起计算。在实地调查期间还观察到了食虫的经济意义方面。为了为了粮食安全而管理昆虫，应更加关注可持续的采集和饲养方法，强调其经济、营养和生态优势。Odonata 和 Mantodea。优势度、多样性和公平性指数与四种栖息地类型的昆虫的相对丰度一起计算。在实地调查期间还观察到了食虫的经济意义方面。为了为了粮食安全而管理昆虫，应更加关注可持续的采集和饲养方法，强调其经济、营养和生态优势。