AQUATIC INSECTS (ODONATA) DIVERSITY IN FLOATING AND EMERGENT MACROPHYTES IN SAHEED MATANGINI BLOCK (TAMLUK), WEST BENGAL (INDIA)

Geographical zone-wise biodiversity study of different species is of paramount importance to monitor and conserve the species diversity in an ecosystem. The objective of present study was to make a diversity database of macrophyte associated aquatic insects in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The aquatic insects were collected from aquatic macrophytes, Ipomoea aquatica, Eichhornia crassipes and Nelumbo nucifera grown in 6 water bodies of Sahid Matangigi Block (Tamluk, 22.3°N 87.92°E), Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The results revealed that occurrences of 6 aquatic insect orders (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, Diptera, Ephemenoptera and Trichoptera) in Ipomoea aquatica with maximum abundance of 3 odonate families (Libellulidae, Coenagrionidae and Platycnemididae). The present biodiversity study of aquatic insects indicate that Odonata especially prefer floating macrophyte as a favourable habitat and therefore higher species diversity therein. Further study is needed considering other aquatic macrophytes in this concern to develop a valid species specific database essential for biodiversity conservation in the rapidly changing present environment.