Malaysia - Sabah Forestry Department

3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION3.1 Nocturnal insect diversityThe nocturnal insect diversity at the Kawag Base Camp during the sampling periodwas relatively low compared to other forest reserves as indicated in Table 3. Being afairly good logged over forest, it was expected to yield much better diversity results.Moreover, various species of interesting insects, especially macro moths were seenattracted to the lights within the Kawag resthouse, staff quarters and office at night.The low nocturnal insect diversity duringthe sampling period was partly due to theproliferation of a few hymenopteran species,especially flying ants (Figure 3). It was partof the nuptial flight and mating process ofthe ants. It is not uncommon for one colonyto release hundreds or thousands of youngwinged males and queens at any one time.Many are attracted to the light. The highabundance of the ant species is reflected inthe species-rank abundance curves inFigure 4, especially at Site A1 and A3.Figure 3: The mating process of aPolyrhachis ant species during lighttrapping.Table 3: Insect diversity within a one-square-metre, as sampled through lighttrappingat Kawag Base Camp, USM FRs (Sites A1, A2 & A3) compared to selectedsites of Rafflesia, Milian Labau, Bukit Hampuan and Gn. Lumaku F.Rs.No. Sampling site Species Ind. Shannon Simpson Fisher Alpha1 A1 75 139 3.56 12.31 66.442 A2 51 63 3.83 102.80 124.803 A3 55 97 3.16 7.68 52.654 Rafflesia(Site B)5 Milian Labau(Site 1)6 BukitHampuan(Site 2)7 Gn. Lumaku(southern part -Site 5)61 67 4.06 245.67 330.0679 122 4.05 45.56 97.03119 142 4.61 111.23 346.35124 163 4.56 90.43 236.607