Seasonal biodiversity of adult insects in relation to environmental factors at the irrigation system based on light trap collection

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the biodiversity of adult insects collected by black light traps. The effects of environmental factors on its biodiversity were also evaluated for monitoring of environmental change in the future. The samples were collected monthly near an irrigation pond outlet at Kasetsart University, Kamphang Saen Campus from January to December 2014. A total of 319,160 individuals representing 13 orders were identified. Trichoptera (80.66%) was the highest number of individuals, followed by Diptera (6.94%), Ephemeroptera (4.67%), Hymenoptera (4.06%), and Coleoptera (2.13%). The eight least abundant orders (i.e., Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Isopters, Embiidina, Blattodea, Mantodea, Dermaptera) represented only 1.42%. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that the air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and relative humidity were factors that affected the biodiversity of adult insects. The study provides baseline information about phonological patterns of insect abundance and permits evaluation of this group as a resource for various food chains and different trophic levels.