How Kaziranga’s insects and spiders hold the key to climate resilience

Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its megafauna, is now drawing attention for a far smaller yet equally vital component of its ecosystem: insects and spiders.

While the park is synonymous with the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, tigers, and swamp deer, a recent survey has revealed that its survival and resilience may depend as much on these tiny creatures as on its celebrated giants.

A rapid survey titled “Explorative Study of Insects and Spiders of the Woodland Habitat of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve” documented 283 unique species—254 insects and 29 spiders—within the Panbari Reserve Forest under the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division.

Conducted over nine days in October–November 2023 by entomologists from The Corbett Foundation with support from frontline forest staff, the study represents the first systematic attempt to map Kaziranga’s overlooked microfauna.

The findings have been hailed as a milestone by both scientists and policymakers. Assam’s Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary described it as a “landmark survey,” emphasizing that protecting “even the smallest life forms” is essential in an era of climate change.

Butterflies and moths made up the largest share, with 85 species (30%), followed by 40 species of ants, bees, and wasps (14%), and 35 beetle species (12%). Other groups recorded included true flies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and orb-weaving spiders.

These creatures are not mere curiosities: insects serve as pollinators, seed dispersers, soil aerators, and natural pest controllers, while spiders help regulate insect populations, acting as ecological checks and balances. Together, they form the foundation of the food web that sustains Kaziranga’s iconic wildlife, from small geckos to the great Indian hornbill and the tiger.

Globally, nearly 40% of insect species are in decline due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate disruption. Scientists warn of an impending “insect apocalypse,” with cascading consequences for ecosystems and human wellbeing. India remains relatively under-researched, making the Kaziranga survey crucial for establishing baseline data to understand local patterns.

The report highlights the impact of climate change on insect dynamics. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall in Northeast India are shifting habitats, potentially disrupting pollination cycles and accelerating pest spread. Without urgent monitoring and conservation, ecosystems could face “ecological failures” that ripple into agriculture, forestry, and livelihoods.

Traditionally, Kaziranga’s conservation narrative has focused on its “Big Five”—rhino, elephant, tiger, swamp deer, and wild buffalo.

The insect study challenges this megafauna bias, asserting that true resilience lies in protecting all layers of biodiversity. “This survey is not just a checklist; it’s a call to action,” the report notes. “Mapping invertebrates is the first step to building climate-resilient ecosystems. Without pollinators, predators, and soil engineers, Kaziranga’s famed wildlife cannot thrive.”

The survey also uncovered intricate ecological relationships, such as ant-associates—spiders, flies, and beetles living in complex interactions with ants, which serve as sensitive indicators of ecosystem health. With over 18 insect orders and two arachnid orders recorded, the researchers stress that the nine-day survey likely represents only a fraction of the park’s microfaunal diversity.

“An explorative study does not represent the full diversity of insects and spiders of a region; however, it provides insight into the habitat and general abundance before initiating long-term surveys. Most diverse insect orders and spider families of the world are represented here,” the report stated. Among 217 ant species known from Assam, 29 were recorded within nine days, highlighting the potential for far greater undiscovered diversity.

The report calls for long-term monitoring, seasonal surveys, and integration of insect conservation into mainstream park management. For policymakers, the message is clear: insects and spiders are central to biodiversity, agriculture, and climate adaptation strategies, not peripheral.

Kaziranga, long celebrated as a global symbol of conservation success, now faces a new frontier: protecting the small and often invisible species that form the foundation of its ecosystem.

As the park enters a new tourism season, visitors may admire rhinos grazing or elephants crossing the floodplains, yet the tiny butterflies, ants, and spiders may be equally critical to the park’s enduring survival. Kaziranga is not just the land of giants—it is a sanctuary of the small, whose resilience may help combat one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.

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