Wed Jan 08 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Book Spotlights City’s Hidden Biodiversity

**Bengaluru, January 8, 2025** – A new book, “Commonly Spotted Insects & Spiders in the City of Bengaluru,” offers a fascinating glimpse into the often-overlooked biodiversity thriving within the city’s concrete jungle. Authored by Vena Kapoor, Priya Venkatesh, and Vaidya R., and supported by the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum, the book features stunning photographs and detailed information on approximately 135 insect and 25 spider species commonly found in and around Bengaluru homes and gardens.

The authors aim to bridge the gap between humans and the arthropods sharing their environment, highlighting the crucial ecological roles these creatures play. From ants that coexisted with dinosaurs to the pollination services essential for fruit and vegetable production, the book emphasizes the interconnectedness of life. The book’s accessible format, available both in print and as a free e-version, is intended as a valuable resource for nature enthusiasts and educators alike. A Kannada translation is also underway.

“Most of these creatures have been photographed right in people’s backyards,” explains Vaidya R., a Bengaluru-based nature enthusiast and photographer. “We want to show people that there’s a wealth of biodiversity, even in their own neighbourhoods.”

Priya Venkatesh, founder-director of The Naturalist School, Bengaluru, notes the critical role insects play in the global food chain. “They’re the most diverse and fascinating creatures on Earth,” she says, emphasizing their importance as both prey and predators, and their vital role in plant pollination.

Vena Kapoor, a conservationist and nature educator, hopes the book will inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world. “Often, there’s a cognitive disconnect between humans and insects,” she states. “This book is a tool to foster empathy, curiosity, and wonder, and encourage people to document and record the behaviour of these fascinating creatures.” Around 100 free printed copies will be distributed to Bengaluru’s nature educators.

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