Abstract
Abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling insect of Amurum Forest Reserve and surrounding farmlands (subdivided into organic and inorganic farmlands) was studied using the pitfall trap method during the on-set of the rainy season of 2005. The organic farmland is made up of waste products from animal husbandry, plant decomposition or products from waste treatment for improvement of soil condition; whereas inorganic farmlands uses inorganic or mineralize fertilizers that are synthetically produced organic compounds to improve soil condition. A total of 29, 217 individuals representing 19 orders, 55 families and 70 species, were collected. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were the most species – rich orders with Formicidae and Scarabaeidae contributing the most to this richness. Of the three sites sampled, Amurum Forest Reserve and organic farmland had the most diverse and abundant insect species respectively. Some of the species sampled are potentially harmful as agricultural pests whereas others are likely beneficial as agents of biological control. The result suggests organic farm practice as more insect friendly.
Key Words: Ground-dwelling insect, Abundance, Diversity, Amurum Forest Reserve Organic farmland, Inorganic farmland
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