Insect Biodiversity in Indochina: A Window into the Riches of the Oriental Region

This chapter compiles and synthesizes the available knowledge of insect biodiversity of the Lower Mekong Subregion as a window into the biodiversity of the Oriental Region and a basis for further research. Rapid deforestation and severe destruction of habitat in tropical Asia is resulting in the disappearance of biodiversity, including insect species and unique populations. Several international organizations are actively working on the conservation of biodiversity in this region, such as BirdLife and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The chapter summarizes the first initiative by the Korean government toward the sustainable development and management of biodiversity in countries in the Lower Mekong Subregion, including the insect fauna. Although 19,721 species of insects have been recorded from the Lower Mekong Subregion, the insect fauna remains poorly studied. The current list, however, provides a framework for further biodiversity studies in the subregion as well as in the larger Oriental Region.