Abstract
The physico-chemical parameters and aquatic insect composition, distribution and abundance of Nwaniba River in Akwa Ibom State were investigated from March to September, 2013. Surface water samples were collected for physico-chemical parameters and aquatic insect analysis from four (4) sampling stations according to standard methods. The results of the physico-chemical parameters were within The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recommended limits for aquatic life in the tropic. A total of 2130 insect individuals were collected consisting of 7 Orders and 14 families. The Order Odonata was the most abundant with 55.8% followed by Coleoptera (37.75%), Hemiptera (4.5%), Diptera (1.7%), Orthoptera (0.2%), Hymenoptera (0.09%) and Dermaptera with 0.05% percentage abundance. The absence of pollution sensitive taxa such as Ephemeroptera, pecoptera and Tricoptera (EPT) which are only found in clean water bodies indicates that Nwaniba River is relatively polluted.