Not all creepy-crawlies have to be exterminated. It may come as a surprise that many insects are actually helpful and a vital cog in the food chain. It is this message that the National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects (NBAII) wants to convey though its project, “Insectarium.”
Touted as a first of its kind in the country, the Insectarium is a museum of an assortment of live insects. From the Indian stingless bee, the rice moth, the predatory cricket to spiders, ladybird beetles, dragonflies and dung beetles, the museum has an array of live displays. The novelty is that several aquatic insects are on display, says Abraham Verghese, Director, NBAII.
Dr. Verghese says that of the one-and-a-half lakh species of insects in the country, only around 80,000 are known and identified.
“Insects have a major role in maintaining biodiversity and ecology. Most students seem to think only butterflies and bees are important insects. However, this is incorrect. Around 98 per cent of the insects are useful to the ecosystem,” he adds.
He remarks that insect-watching is stimulating and that through the Insectarium, the NBAII hopes to get children to appreciate the diversity and learn about the importance of insects.
“The Insectarium has visual aids and posters to educate the children, lay public and even farmers about the specimens displayed.”
The NBAII also has a vast collection of over 30,000 insect specimens and 108 live insect cultures in its insect database.
Dr. Verghese says many insects are now being used as biocontrol agents for non-insecticidal pest control. “This is the future of pest control. Over the next 10 years, the use of pesticides and insecticides may come down with the stress on organic farming. It will then be up to the agriculturally friendly and important insects to control parasites.”