Insect (Lepidoptera - Family) Biodiversity Across Forest Canopy and Understorey in SE-Asia BIFA5_026
Citation
Nakamura A, Jeratthitikul E (2023). Insect (Lepidoptera - Family) Biodiversity Across Forest Canopy and Understorey in SE-Asia BIFA5_026. Version 1.9. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/yge43c accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-08-29.Description
This dataset consists of moths (Lepidoptera) specimens collected as part of the Sino-SE Asian biodiversity project (funded by Chinese Academy of Sciences Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute) to explore the diversity of forest organisms and functions across latitude and elevation in South East Asia. We collected specimens using standardised sampling protocols with aerial Malaise traps (SLAM traps) (primary target: beetles), light traps (primary target: moths) and flight interception traps with yellow pan (yellow FIT) (primary target: hymenopterans) from forest canopy and understory strata within forest dynamic plots located at Mo Singto, Khao Yai NP and Klong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. We chose these two locations as plant diversity has been monitored (as part of ForestGEO initiative) and we could assess the relationships between insect and plant diversities. At each forest dynamic plot, we have established a total of nine insect sampling points within the ForestGEO vegetation monitoring area. We repeated sampling twice at the beginning and end of wet seasons (June and December 2019 at Khao Yai and March and September 2020 at Klong Naka) to capture seasonal variations in diversity. The biodiversity data derived from this project not only describe occurrence records of insect taxa but will attempt to explain whether forest community assembly is spatially and temporally stratified at various spatial scales. Such data will suggest vulnerability and resilience of forest biodiversity under local and global-scale anthropogenic disturbances. We have obtained ethics and research permits from NRCT and DNP.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The study was conducted in the tropical forests of Mo Singto area at Khao Yai National Park (14N, 101E) and Klong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary (9N, 99E). Sampling took place in June and December 2019 at Khao Yai and March and September 2020 at Klong Naka.Sampling
At Mo Singto, we conducted insect sampling within the 30-ha monitoring plot designed to study vegetation and vertebrate (mainly gibbons) communities (Brockelman et al. 2011). Similarly, we used the 20-ha monitoring plot established in 2019 at Klong Naka designed to study vegetation community dynamics. These monitoring plots are subdivided into 20 m x 20 m subplots. Within each monitoring plot, we set a 300 x 300 m square area and established nine sampling points (3 x 3 grid arrangements). We used nine of the sub-plots where these nine sampling points were located. At each of the nine 20 m x 20 m sub-plots, we found suitable trees where traps can be suspended at the canopy and understory strata. Understory traps were suspended at 2 m above the ground whereas canopy traps were suspended immediately below the canopy foliage. The height of the canopy traps changed depending on the tree height (the information on the height of the traps is provided in the sampling event data). We selected a tree whose top foliage received direct insolation, but we did not select midstory or emergent trees. The ropes to suspend the canopy traps were hung over the tree branches by first shooting the throw line (2 mm diameter, BARHAR, Dongguan, Guangdong, China) using an arborist slingshot (Big Shot Line Launcher, WesSpur Tree Equipment, Bellingham, WA, USA). The throw line was replaced with a nylon rope (approx. 8-10 mm diameters) to which the trap was attached and hoisted to the canopy stratum. A nylon rope was also used to suspend the traps at the understory. Our light traps were based on the light traps designed by Kitching et al. (2005) who modified Pennsylvania-style light traps for rainforest use. The light trap emits UV light from a fluorescent tube (Philips 8 Watt actinic light tube) run by a lithium-ion battery and a built-in timer. The trap consists of a metal drum (25 cm diameter, 34 cm long) in which a plastic collection bucket (24 cm diameter, 20 cm high) is set with a dichlorvos-infused wick as a killing agent. The bucket is covered by a plastic funnel with 4 cm bottom opening to capture the flying insects that were attracted to the UV light. Immediately above the plastic funnel, four clear acrylic panes (12 cm wide and 43 cm long with the bottom 10 cm cut to fit the shape of the funnel) set at right angles are erected. The metal rain cover (38 cm diameter) is placed above the plastic panes. The opening between the drum edge and rain cover is 30 cm long. In the collection bucket, a plastic egg carton cut to fit the bottom of the bucket was placed to prevent large beetles from damaging moth wings before they were killed. A sanitary napkin was placed on the egg carton below the funnel opening to absorb rainwater. The lithium-ion battery and a timer are set below the collection bucket. We set the time to run the light traps between 20:00 and 06:00, and repeated three times (three nights, but not necessarily consecutive nights). We did not use light traps one week before and after the full moon to minimize the influence of moonlight. The samples were kept dry in a plastic container and left in a deep freezer at minus 18-20 degrees Celsius. All moth specimens were taken, and representative specimens were dry-mounted for identification. We used the Moth of Thailand and The Moths of Borneo to identify the specimens to family and then morphospecies with assistance from the local taxonomists. All wet and dry specimens were stored at the Mahidol University Museum of Natural History. Brockelman, W. Y., Nathalang, A. and Gale, G. A. 2011. The Mo Singto forest dynamic plot, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society. 57: 35-55. Kitching, R. L., Boulter, S. L., Vickerman, G., Laidlaw, M., Hurley, K. L. and Grimbacher, P. S. 2005. The Comparative Assessment of Arthropod and Tree Biodiversity in Old-World Rainforests. Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management. Rainforest CRC, Cairns, Australia. Holloway, J. D. 1986. The Moths of Borneo Part 1 to 18. Southdene, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Quality Control
The field surveys were mainly conducted by the local assistants and students, but supervisors visited both Mo Singto and Klong Naka to check the sampling areas and ensure that the fieldwork followed our sampling protocols described above. Taxonomic identification has been conducted by the students and they collaborated with local taxonomists to check their family-level identification.Method steps
- 1. At each of the nine 20 m x 20 m sub-plots, we found suitable trees where traps can be suspended at the canopy and understory strata. Understory traps were suspended 2 m above the ground whereas canopy traps were suspended immediately below the canopy foliage. The height of the canopy traps changed depending on the tree height (the information on the height of the traps is provided in the sampling event data). 2. We selected a tree whose top foliage received direct insolation, but we did not select midstory or emergent trees. The ropes to suspend the canopy traps were hung over the tree branches by first shooting the throw line (2 mm diameter, BARHAR, Dongguan, Guangdong, China) using an arborist slingshot (Big Shot Line Launcher, WesSpur Tree Equipment, Bellingham, WA, USA). The throw line was replaced with a nylon rope (approx. 8-10 mm diameters) to which the trap was attached and hoisted to the canopy stratum. A nylon rope was also used to suspend the traps at the understory. 3. We set the time to run the light traps between 20:00 and 06:00, and repeated three times (three nights, but not necessarily consecutive nights). We did not use light traps one week before and after the full moon to minimise the influence of moonlight. 4. The samples were kept dry in a plastic container and left in a deep freezer at minus 18-20 degrees Celsius. 5. Moth of Thailand and The Moths of Borneo to identify the specimens to family and then morphospecies with assistance from the local taxonomists.
Taxonomic Coverages
Lepidoptera family level taxonomic coverage.
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Bombycidaerank: family
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Cossidaerank: family
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Crambidaerank: family
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Dalceridaerank: family
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Erebidaerank: family
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Geometridaerank: family
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Lasiocampidaerank: family
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Limacodidaerank: family
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Noctuidaerank: family
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Notodontidaerank: family
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Saturniidaerank: family
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Sphingidaerank: family
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Zygaenidaerank: family
Lepidoptera superfamily level taxonomic coverage.
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Bombycoidearank: superfamily
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Cossoidearank: superfamily
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Pyraloidearank: superfamily
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Zygaenoidearank: superfamily
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Noctuoidearank: superfamily
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Geometroidearank: superfamily
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Lasiocampoidearank: superfamily
Geographic Coverages
Mo Singto area at Khao Yai National Park (14N, 101E) and Klong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary (9N, 99E). In each location, a total of nine sampling points (300 x 300 m grid) were set within the forest dynamic plots (ForestGEO plots).
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Akihiro Nakamuraoriginator
position: PI
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Menglun
Mengla
666303
Yunnan
CN
Telephone: +8618787982704
email: a.nakamura@xtbg.ac.cn
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-5102
Ekgachai Jeratthitikul
originator
position: Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mahidol University
227 Rama VI Road
Rachadhavi
10400
Bangkok
TH
Telephone: +66863260013
email: Ekgachai.jer@mahidol.edu
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3477-9548
Akihiro Nakamura
metadata author
position: PI
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
Menglun
Mengla
666303
Yunnan
CN
Telephone: +8618787982704
email: a.nakamura@xtbg.ac.cn
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-5102
Akihiro Nakamura
principal investigator
position: Professor
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
Menglun
Mengla
666303
Yunnan
CN
Telephone: +8618787982704
email: a.nakamura@xtbg.ac.cn
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-5102
Ekgachai Jeratthitikul
content provider
position: Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
272 Rama VI Road
Rachadhavi
10400
Bangkok
TH
Telephone: +66863260013
email: Ekgachai.jer@mahidol.edu
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3477-9548
Alyssa Stewart
reviewer
position: Assistant Professor
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
272 Rama VI Road
Rachadhavi
10400
Bangkok
TH
Telephone: +66830204140
email: 4lyssa@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7266-1081
Pattharawadee Waitayachart
content provider
position: Research assistant
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
272 Rama VI Road
Rachadhavi
10400
Bangkok
TH
Telephone: +66909781196
email: pattharawadee.wai@hotmail.com
Ronnarot Taveesri
content provider
position: Graduate student
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
272 Rama VI Road
Rachadhavi
10400
Bangkok
TH
Telephone: +66899825607
email: ronnarot.tav@student.mahidol.ac.th
Akihiro Nakamura
administrative point of contact
position: PI
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Menglun
Mengla
666303
Yunnan
CN
Telephone: +8618787982704
email: a.nakamura@xtbg.ac.cn
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-5102