SEASONAL PATTERNS OF AQUATIC INSECT ABUNDANCE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN ANAKDEV (DARA) HOT WATER SPRING, NORTH MAHARASHTRA

Abstract

Hot spring ecosystems represent unique and sensitive habitats where biological communities are
strongly influenced by physico-chemical conditions. The present study investigates the seasonal
abundance of aquatic insects and their relationship with physico-chemical parameters in Anakdev Hot
Water Spring. A total of 179 insect individuals belonging to five species, Branchythemis contaminata,
Enithares sp., Notonecta glauca, Orthetrum sp., and Patrus limbatus were recorded across three
seasons (rainy, summer, and winter).