Insecticides, chemicals deal crippling blow on Naosek
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 22 2025: Naosek, a giant water bug once a common sight in paddy fields and shallow wetlands across the State during the monsoon season, is vanishing from its habitat.

Scientifically known as lethocerus indicus, the number of Naosek has been declining in the State due to the widespread use of insecticides and chemical fertilizers and hunting of the aquatic insect and its eggs for consumption, threatening its existence.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, environmentalist Khagembam Shamungou said that Naosek is found in South East Asia, South Asia, and South East China region.

The insect is consumed by boiling, frying or adding it to chili sauce in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines etc, he said.

In Manipur, people who love the smell of Naosek often add it to laphu eromba (banana stem chutney) and morok metpa (mashed chili paste) for its unique flavor, he added.

Although Naosek has become rare and is listed as a near-extinct species, the insect is occasionally found sold in markets, the environmentalist continued.

Saying that Naosek which mostly lives in shallow water bodies, paddy lands etc is disappearing from its habitat, he added that the insect was once widely found in Loktak Lake too.

People hunt Naosek and its eggs for consumption during the monsoon season, particularly during their breeding time, he said, adding that the widespread use of insecticides, chemical fertilizers, hunting, and loss of habitat due to anthropological activities are the primary causes of the insect's vanishing.

Not only Naosek, human activities like encroachment on wetlands and climate change may lead to the change in life cycle of other insect species too, he cautioned.

Shamungou said that the shrinkage of animal and insect habitats is inevitable if human settlements continue to expand.

Apart from Naosek, Tharaikokpi (Cybister), a genus of beetle, is also vanishing from the State, he said, emphasizing that safeguarding their habitats and halting hunting of the edible insects and their eggs are crucial steps to prevent them from disappearing.

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