Common Insects of Assam and North East India: Assamese Names, Pronunciations, and Local Insights. পোক পতংগ

Assam and the North East of India host a wide range of insects. These creatures not only play a crucial role in agriculture and ecology but also hold a prominent place in folk culture, songs, and daily life. To make it easier for learners and nature lovers, here is an alphabetically arranged list of the most common insects of Assam, along with their Assamese names and pronunciations.

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Assam Hornet Vespa কোডো বৰল (Kodo Barol)

Kodo Barol.

Agabus bipustulatus – কঁঠালগুটী (Katholguti)

You can find this water beetle in ponds and wetlands. Locals call it Katholguti.

Ant – পিপৰ (Pipora)

Assamese people use both Pipora and Jinga to describe ants. They are often found in homes, gardens, and fields.

Beetle – গুবৰুৱা (Goboruwa)

You can spot beetles in gardens and crop fields. People recognize them by their hard outer shells.

Bluebottle – বৰমাখি (Bormakhi)

The Bormakhi buzzes loudly near food and waste. You can often see them around markets and kitchens.

Bumblebee – অলিপক (Olipok)

Olipok bees pollinate flowers and crops. Farmers value them for their contribution to agriculture.

Butterfly – পখিলা (Pokhila)

Pokhila butterflies add beauty to fields and gardens. Assamese folk songs often celebrate them.

Gypsy Moth Caterpillar – বিছা (Bisa)

Bisa– The Gypsy Moth is an insect species scientifically known as Lymantria dispar. It is considered a serious forest pest.

Cicada – জিলি (Jili)

You can hear Jili cicadas during hot summer evenings. Their buzzing fills the air in villages.

Cockroach – পঁইতাচোৰা (Poitasura) or Telbhukuwa (তেলভুকুৱা)

Poitasura cockroaches hide in kitchens and houses. People often consider them pests.

Cricket – উইচিৰিঙা (Uisiringa)

Uisiringa crickets produce rhythmic chirping at night. Their sounds form part of Assam’s rural atmosphere.

Fire Ant – ৰঙা পিঁপৰা (Ranga Pipora)

Ranga Pipora ants sting aggressively. Villagers stay cautious around their nests.

Grasshopper – ফৰিং (Phoring)

Phoring grasshoppers jump across fields during monsoons. Assamese rhymes and songs often mention them.

Ladybug – সোণপোক (Sunpuk)

Children love the colorful Sunpuk. Farmers appreciate ladybugs for their role in controlling harmful pests.

Louse – চেখৰা (Sekhre)

Sekhre lice live as parasites. They often affect human hair and domestic animals.

Mason Wasp – কুমাৰণী (Kumaroni)

Kumaroni wasps build small mud nests. You can see them on walls and trees in villages.

Millipede – কেৰেলুৱা (Kereluwa)

Kereluwa millipedes crawl under leaves and soil. They help recycle organic matter.

Mole Cricket – কুমটি (Kumoti)

Kumoti mole crickets dig in moist soil. Farmers notice them while preparing paddy fields.

Mosquito – মহ (Moh)

Moh mosquitoes thrive in Assam’s humid climate. They spread diseases and cause trouble in households.

Earthworm – কেঁচু (Kesu)

Kesus improves soil fertility. Farmers depend on them for better crops.

Scorpion – বৃশ্চিক (Brishik)

Brishik scorpions hide under stones and wood. Their sting makes people cautious.

Slug – কুমজেলুকা (Komjeluka)

Komjeluka slugs appear in damp and shaded areas. Farmers often see them in paddy fields.

Snail – শামুক (Shamook)

Shamuk snails crawl slowly in wetlands. Assamese villagers often spot them during the rains.

Spider – মকৰা (Mokora)

Mokora spiders weave webs in houses and gardens. They help control other insects naturally.

Tarantula – বাঘ মকৰা (Baagh Mokora)

Baagh Mokora, or “tiger spider,” looks large and fierce. People occasionally find them in forests.

Termite – উঁইপোক (Uipuk)

Uipuk termites feed on wood. They often damage furniture and bamboo structures.

Hoplobatrachus – ভেকুলী (Vekuli)

Vekuli is actually a frog species, but often linked with wetlands where insects thrive. Children in Assam recognize their croaking sound.

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Why These Insects Matter in Assam’s Culture and Ecology

Assamese people mention insects like Phoring, Pokhila, and Goboruwa in rhymes and folk songs. Farmers respect earthworms, bees, and ladybugs for their agricultural benefits. At the same time, mosquitoes, termites, and cockroaches challenge daily life. Insects thus form a balanced part of both culture and nature in Assam.

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