Diversity and Distribution of Orthopteran Species in Kalahandi District, Odisha: A Comprehensive Survey

Orthopteran species play crucial roles in food webs and are considered excellent bioindicators of environmental change due to their sensitivity to habitat alteration, climate variability, and land-use patterns. Indian orthopteran diversity is often studied in the context of agricultural entomology, as many species are known to damage important crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and sugarcane. Understanding orthopteran diversity in such lesser-known regions is not only important for biodiversity records but also essential for sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem management. Orthopteran species were collected from different selected sites in Kalahandi district using an insect-collecting net and the hand-picking method between June 2024 and February 2025. A total of 8,724 individual orthopterans were captured and identified, representing five different families. The family Acrididae had the highest species diversity, comprising 19 species across 15 genera. This group was followed by the family Pyrgomorphidae, which included 7 species under 4 genera. The family Tettigoniidae consisted of 5 species across 4 genera. The lowest species diversity was recorded in the family Tetrigidae, with only a single species identified. The Simpson’s Index of Diversity (1-D) was 0.961, suggesting high species diversity within the community. Additionally, Shannon’s Diversity Index (H) was 3.341, and Pielou’s Evenness Index (J) was 0.964, both reflecting a high level of species richness and an even distribution of individuals among species.