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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Exploring the entomological wealth of North East India: Diversity, traditional uses, and prospects of edible insects
Authors
Rajib Ratan Kashyap, Jayanta Saikia
Abstract
Insects are also a part of classic diets in
most regions of the world, being especially appreciated due to their high level
of nutritional value and dense source of proteins. They are a major source of
renewable resources in North-East India, which is highly entrenched in the food
culture and nutrition of various indigenous communities. Entomophagy is also
notable in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland, where the various
tribes prefer specific insect species depending on their culture, taste, and
availability in their region. In India, there are almost 255 insect species
that are known to be eaten as food. These include order Coleoptera, which comprises
the largest percentage of about 34%, Orthoptera (24%), Hemiptera (17%),
Hymenoptera (10%), Odonata (8%), Lepidoptera (4%), Isoptera (2%), and
Ephemeroptera (1%). Traditional knowledge, availability of insects in a season,
and culinary preferences usually influence the choice of insects. Recording and
encouraging the utilization of edible and medicinal insects would create
opportunities for economic growth and enable the use of this useful biological
wealth in the northeastern part of India through sustainable means.
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Pages:440-445
How to cite this article:
Rajib Ratan Kashyap, Jayanta Saikia "Exploring the entomological wealth of North East India: Diversity, traditional uses, and prospects of edible insects". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 440-445
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