Night-flying Insects Density and Flight Activity Pattern in Kuching City

The density and activity pattern of night-flying insect was studied in the urban area at Kuching City and outskirt areas for six days from February 2015 to April 2015. The study sites were established within different urban densities representing the city centre area and outskirt area. Modified aerial net with 1 m x 1 m opening was used to sample night-flying insects to study the density, from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm at 30 minutes interval. A total of 1,699 individuals of night-flying insects were sampled where 496 individuals were from Kuching City centre and 1,203 individuals were from Kuching City outskirt. Mann-Whitney Test showed that there is no significant difference in density (M-3) of night-flying insects collected in Kuching City centre and Kuching City outskirt. The mass of night-flying insects captured was 277.1 mg in Kuching City centre and 182.5 mg in Kuching City outskirt. About 78% and 84.4% of the samples were less than 2 mm in body length in the centre and outskirt respectively. Six orders of insects were sampled in which 63.9% and 85.5% were from order Diptera in the centre and outskirt respectively. In the city centre, night-flying insects were most active between 6.30 pm - 7.00 pm where as in outskirt areas they were active at 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm. Diptera were the most abundant at every time intervals