Rare grasshoppers, crickets recorded in Zeilad sanctuary

Keicha Chingthou Mangang *

Rare grasshoppers, crickets recorded in Zeilad sanctuary :: Picture Courtesy - The People's Chronicle / Keicha Chingthou Mangang

A recent study conducted in the Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary (ZWLS) in Tamenglong district has shed new light on the diversity of Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids) in the region, documenting 25 species across 25 genera and eight families.

Notably, the research reports eight species as new records for Manipur, while four species are recorded for the first time in Northeast India.

The research paper titled "Distribution of Orthoptera (Insecta) in Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary, Manipur, India with New Records to the State", published in the January 2025 edition of the Journal of Applied Zoological Researches, was carried out by a team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), including D Suresh Chand, Rajdip Chakraborty, Swapan Kumar Das, and Hirdesh Kumar.

Their fieldwork in 2019, supported by the divisional forest officer of Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary, was aimed at documenting the Orthoptera fauna in this ecologically significant sanctuary. The researchers conducted their study across three primary localities within the sanctuary: Zeilad Lake, Zeilad forest camp, and the Forest rest house in Tamenglong.

Using sweep nets and hand-picking methods, they collected and preserved specimens for further analysis. Each species was identified under a Stereo Zoom Binocular Microscope (Leica EZ4 HD), and taxonomic classification followed the Orthoptera Species File (Version 5.0/5.0, 2024) .

The study identified 43 specimens of Orthoptera, representing 25 species, 25 genera, and eight families. The family Acrididae was the most dominant, contributing 28 per cent of all recorded species (seven species) .

Other significant families included Tetrigidae, Tettigoniidae, and Trigonidiidae, each representing 16 per cent (four species), while Gryllidae accounted for 12 per cent (three species) .

The remaining families - Pyrgo-morphidae, Gryllotalpidae, and Chorotypidae - had a lower representation, with just one species each (4 per cent).

Among the noteworthy findings, eight species were recorded for the first time in Manipur, highlighting the region's underexplored biodiversity.

Additionally, four species were newly recorded from Northeast India, reinforcing the significance of Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary in hosting rare and unique Orthoptera fauna. The research also provided insights into the habitat preference of different Orthoptera families.

While Acrididae species were found across all three survey sites, Chorotypidae was exclusive to Zeilad Lake, and Pyrgomorphidae was restricted to Zeilad forest camp. The remaining five families were recorded in both Zeilad Lake and Zeilad forest camp.

The team emphasised the importance of conserving Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to semi-evergreen and wet hill forests at an altitude of 372 metres above sea level. The region's diverse vegetation and climatic conditions provide a suitable habitat for Orthoptera and other insect species, making it a critical area for biodiversity conservation in Manipur.

With 365 species of Orthoptera recorded in Northeast India and 124 species documented in Manipur, this study adds to the growing evidence that the state harbours rich and unique insect diversity. The authors stress the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.

The researchers acknowledged the support of Zoological Survey of India director Dr Dhriti Banerjee, as well as the local forest authorities for facilitating their field studies. They recommended that further taxonomic studies and ecological surveys be conducted in Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary to uncover more undiscovered insect species.

The findings from Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary underscore the rich biodiversity of Manipur's insect fauna. The discovery of eight new species for the state and four new records for Northeast India highlights the scientific importance of the region.

With continued research and conservation efforts, Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary could become a key area for Orthoptera studies in India, ensuring the protection of its diverse and ecologically significant insect population.