Insect, spider diversity vital for ecological balance, experts tell Dharwad audience

Experts have underlined the crucial role of insects and spiders in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity, calling for systematic documentation of these often-overlooked species. Entomologist Eshaan Pahade made the remarks while addressing the sixth lecture in the Moolatatva Vicharopanyasa (Environmental Basics Lecture) series, titled ‘Wonders of the Insect World’, held in Dharwad on Friday.

The lecture was jointly organised by the Nature Research Centre, Dharwad, and Nature First Eco Village, Halligeri, in association with the Entomon Institute of Invertebrate Zoology, Pune. Pahade, founder-director of the institute, highlighted that surveys, studies, and documentation of insects and spiders carried out with the participation of local communities could serve as valuable resources for biodiversity boards and citizen science initiatives.

Spider expert Atharva Kulkarni noted that India is home to more than 4,000 species of spiders, yet only around 2,000 have been identified so far. He cautioned that several species might have disappeared before they could be documented, underscoring the urgent need for systematic mapping of the country’s spider diversity with the involvement of citizen scientists at the local level.

Presiding over the programme, senior environmentalist Panchakshari Hiremath announced that an environmental education centre was being developed at Nature First Eco Village in Halligeri. The centre, he said, would include a frog garden, a Batracarium (a facility for amphibian study), and dedicated spaces for butterflies, spiders, bees, and other insects, with the aim of fostering environmental awareness among the public.

The event was attended by Gopal Kadekodi, S.M. Shivaprasad, Dheeraj Veeranagoudar, R.G. Thimmapur, Pandit Munji, and Krishnakumar Bagavath. Harshavardhan Sheelavant welcomed the gathering and introduced the speakers.

The lecture series, which began with the objective of educating the public on basic environmental concepts, has been drawing attention to lesser-known facets of nature. Experts at earlier sessions have covered topics ranging from soil conservation to the role of birds in ecosystems, according to organisers.

Insects and spiders together constitute a major share of the world’s animal biodiversity. They perform essential functions such as pollination, pest control, and nutrient recycling. Their decline, driven by habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, poses a serious threat to global food security and ecosystem health, scientists have repeatedly warned.

In India, the documented number of insect species exceeds 100,000, but estimates suggest that the actual count could be far higher, with many species yet to be scientifically described. Similarly, the gap between the known and estimated spider species highlights the need for more comprehensive field surveys, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions such as the Western Ghats, where Dharwad is situated.

Citizen science initiatives, in which volunteers assist researchers in data collection, have gained traction in recent years as a cost-effective and scalable approach to biodiversity monitoring. Pahade’s suggestion reflects a broader global movement toward community-engaged research, enabling faster documentation of species and better-informed conservation strategies.

The organisers said that the upcoming lectures in the series will focus on other environmental themes, with an aim to build a well-informed community that understands and values the natural world.