An updated knowledge on the insect and spider diversity of the coastal areas of Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal

To protect and conserve the faunal diversity of any ecosystem, it is essential first to understand the existing fauna within that specific ecosystem.Information on the coastal belt fauna in West Bengal is fragmented; therefore, this paper attempts to collate data on insects and spiders from coastal areas to understand their diversity for better conservation and sustainable utilization.It summarizes the known insect and spider faunal diversity of the coastal belt of Purba Medinipur district and its various habitats, drawing from published literature and other lesser-known sources of information.Based on existing data, 380 species of insects and 50 species of spiders have been reported from coastal areas, covering an area of 50-60 km in length, consisting of 4 sub-divisions, 5 municipalities, and 25 blocks.Purba Medinipur is the southernmost district of West Bengal.