Diversity of insect species at Noakhali Science and Technology University campus, Bangladesh

Abstract

Monitoring of ecosystem health in a specific area through insect diversity assessment is widely used. A study was carried out from November 2023 to May 2024 at 20 plots of the study area in Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh. A total of 5391 individuals, 58 species belonging to 54 genera, 35 families and 8 orders were observed during this study with Hymenoptera (26%) as the dominant order in species richness followed by Odonata (20%), Lepidoptera (18%), Orthoptera (10%), Diptera (9%), Coleoptera (8%), Hemiptera (9%), and Mantodea (0%). The biodiversity of insect fauna was found rich with a Shannon-Wiener diversity index score of 3.39 (H’= 3.39) and with a Margalef’s richness score 6.63 (R= 6.63). According to the study's month-by-month analysis, the highest species diversity was observed in February. Lepidoptera was found as the most speciose order having 18 species.  Lasius niger of Hymenoptera was identified as the most dominant species having 15.29 % of the total samples followed by Lepidopteran species Borbo cinnara with 6.66 % and Odonata species Macrodiplax cora with 6.21 % of the samples. About 32.13% of the insect preferred bushy areas as their habitat followed by grassland (25.43%), urban settlement (13.47%), and agricultural land (10.42%). Among the recorded species, 36 (62.07%) species were categorized as beneficial insects as they are known to function as predators, pollinators, honey producers, biological control agent as well as recycler of organic waste. In contrast, 22 (37.93%) species were categorized as harmful due to their reported role in crop and plant damage and disease transmission. The findings contribute to future biodiversity assessment and conservation planning by providing a baseline dataset on insect diversity at the NSTU campus.

Bangladesh J. Zool. 54(1): 47-59, 2026