Studies on indigenous ethno-entomology of ethnic meitei community of bishnupur district, manipur, ne india

Ethnozoology deals with the study of the relationships between human societies and animal resources around them and ethnoentomology deals with the study of the relationship between the human societies and insect resources around them. The present paper is an endeavour to study and document the relationships between the people and the different kinds of insects available around them vis-a-vis their use as food, medicine, bio-indicators, religious beliefs, etc. among the ethnic Meitei communities in Bishnupur District of Manipur, NE India. The present study reveals the use of 39 species of insects belonging to 39 genera and 28 families by the ethnic Meitei community of the District. The work was carried out during the period from May 2015 to August 2016. Information was collected from the ethnic local Meitei community, particularly the local elders and medicinal practitioners. Identification of insect specimen was done using collections from the markets. The high nutritive values and medicinal properties of insects are discussed.