Diversity and vertical distribution of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: geometridae) in a peat swamp forest, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

The diversity and vertical distribution (ground, lm and canopy, 21m) of the Geometrid moths were studied in a peat swamp forest in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak by using modified Pennsylvanian light traps. A total of 65 species from 185 individuals and four subfamilies were recorded. As might be expected in habitats that have been degraded such as the peat swamp forest, the sample diversity is lower with Shannon- Weiner diversity index, H'= 1.57504 than other type of forest (H'= 2.1534). The overall total species richness and abundance were found at the ground level. However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of Geometrid moths between the canopy and ground level in the peat swamp forest. The peat swamp forest was characterized by the dominance of the subfamily Ennominae which was recorded as the most abundant moths at both the ground and canopy levels. The three commonest species, Hypomecis costaria (Ennominae), Noreia achloraria (Desmobathrinae) and Biston insularis (Ennominae) were represented by 29, 13 and 11 individuals respectively. Forty one percent of the overall total species collected at the ground level (20 species) and forty eight percent of the total species collected at the canopy (15 species) were represented by singletons