Aquatic entomology is the study of insects that live in the water during all or part of their lives. Many flying insects such as dragonflies, damselflies, caddisflies spend their larval youth in a stream, where they are the primary prey of fish. You can tell a lot about the quality of the water in a stream by the species living in it. Aquatic Entomologists sample, count, and identify the BMIs in a stream. Most BMIs thrive in clean water; relatively few tolerate pollution or damage to the habitat. If the quality of the water and habitat is impaired, the species and number of BMIs will tell that story. In a way Aquatic Entomologists help “the bugs” explain what is happening in their environment, so we can improve water quality.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Maurya (b.1959) is presently Programme Coordinator/Professor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Centre) Ambedkar Nagar (U.P.). He has a rich and long experience of 31 years in the field of extension and teaching. Dr. Maurya obtained his M. Sc. degree in Agriculture (Entomology) in 1983 from Gorakhpur University, and Ph.D. degree in agricultural extension in 1990 from Kanpur University, Kanpur, (U.P.). He has also contributed his abilities as Senior Extension Officer at N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, U.P. In his service period he has also involved in development and management of different KVKs of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Recently, he was awarded life time achievement award 2016 from Society of Biological Sciences and Rural Development, Allahabad. Dr. Maurya also received Best KVK Scientist Award, 2016, Indian Society of Extension Education, New Delhi.