Discovery of three new Edible Bug Species in Northeast India

Discovery of New Edible Stink Bug Species

• Researchers from ATREE and Modern College, Pune discovered three new edible stink bug species in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The newly identified species belong to the genus Coridius of family Dinidoridae (Hemiptera).
• The three new species are named Coridius adii, Coridius insperatus, and Coridius esculentus.
• Coridius adii is named in honor of the Adi tribe, who consume this species as food.
• Coridius insperatus is distinct due to its four-segmented antennae and copper-colored back.
• Coridius esculentus was discovered during a socio-economic survey and is known to cause intoxication when consumed in large quantities.
• The study also rediscovered Coridius fuscus, Coridius laosanus, and Coridius assamensis, which had not been reported from the region for over 100 years.

Characteristics and Significance of the Discovery

• Coridius bugs are relatively large, ranging from 15 mm to 25 mm in size.
• These insects primarily feed on plant sap.
• The discovery brings the total number of reported Coridius species in India to 13.
• Researchers used an integrative approach combining phylogenetics, morphometric analysis, and classical taxonomy for identification.
• The study revealed multiple undescribed lineages within the genus, suggesting potential for more new species.
• This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India and the importance of further exploration in the region.
• The research was supported by the Department of Biotechnology as part of a project documenting the bioresources of northeast India.

Entomophagy in Northeast India

• Entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is an age-old tradition widely practiced in Northeast India.
• Many communities in the region rely on insects as a source of food, nutrition, and medicine.
• The research team documented over 500 species of edible insects from across Northeast India.
• Edible insects include grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, termites, bees, wasps, ants, cicadas, and aquatic insects.
• Globally, around two billion people consume insects, with over 2,000 species recognized as edible.
• The findings emphasize the potential of insects as a sustainable protein source to complement traditional livestock farming.
• The study underscores the importance of preserving indigenous traditional knowledge systems in the Northeast region.