Guwahati: A new study from Gauhati University has found that some of the busiest spaces on campus—gardens and residential quarters—are also among the most important habitats for wasps and bees.
The research, carried out by Briyanka Kashyap, Jinti Das, Malabika Kakati Saikia and Prasanta Kumar Saikia, documented 23 species of wasps and bees, recording 71 individual insects across different habitats within the university during a year-long survey from March 2022 to February 2023.
What stands out is where these insects are most abundant. Residential areas showed the highest diversity, followed closely by campus gardens, while grasslands and areas near wetlands supported fewer species.
Using standard diversity indices, the study found that residential areas had the highest diversity levels, with gardens not far behind. In contrast, natural habitats lagged significantly, pointing to a clear variation in how different environments support insect life.
Researchers attribute this pattern to the availability of resources. Residential and garden spaces typically offer a mix of flowering plants, nesting sites and built structures, creating favourable conditions for both foraging and shelter.
In effect, these human-used areas appear to provide everything these insects need within a compact space.
The findings also suggest that even densely used urban spaces can function as microhabitats, challenging the long-held assumption that biodiversity is highest only in undisturbed natural ecosystems.
Among the species recorded, paper wasps (subfamily Polistinae) were the most dominant group, accounting for nearly half of the total species observed. Their adaptability and social behaviour are likely factors behind their success across multiple habitats.
Bees such as Apis cerana and Apis dorsata were also commonly observed, reinforcing their importance as pollinators in both natural and human-modified landscapes.
The study also tracked seasonal patterns in insect activity. Populations were highest between April and September, coinciding with warmer and more humid conditions, and dropped significantly during the cooler winter months.
Beyond their presence, wasps and bees play a crucial ecological role. While bees are well-known pollinators, wasps also contribute as natural pest controllers, feeding largely on other insects. Together, they help maintain stable plant–pollinator networks and support overall ecosystem balance, particularly in fragmented or changing environments.
The authors note that this is among the few detailed studies on wasps and bees from Assam and fills an important gap in regional biodiversity data.
They say the findings can serve as a baseline for future monitoring and conservation efforts, especially as urbanisation continues to reshape landscapes.
The study also highlights the need to protect and manage everyday green spaces—such as gardens and residential areas—which, despite being overlooked, may be quietly supporting a significant share of local biodiversity.
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