International Journal of Forest, Soil and Erosion (IJFSE) Vol. 3 No.3 August 2013 122 | www.ijfse.com Int. J. Forest, Soil and Erosion, 2013 3 (4):122-128 ISSN 2251-6387 © November 2013, GHB's Journals, IJFSE, Iran Research Paper Pseudo-Mapping of Distribution and Abundance of Terrestrial Insect at Various Elevations in National Park, Pahang Fauziah I., Mohd Rasdi Z., Fairuz K., Ismail R., Hazmi A.D., Mohd Hafezan S.( Malaysia) Fauziah I. 1 , Mohd Rasdi Z. *2 , Fairuz K. 3 , Ismail R. 3 , Hazmi A.D. 4 , Mohd Hafezan S. 4 1. Entomologist (PhD) (Associate Professor), Faculty of Plantation & Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, 40000, Malaysia fauziah@salam.uitm.edu.my *2. (Corresponding author) Senior Lecturer, Agriculture Entomologist, Faculty of Plantation & Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang (UiTM), Pahang, 26400, Malaysia dddpim@pahang.uitm.edu.my ; dddpim@yahoo.com 3. Faculty of Plantation & Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, 40000, Malaysia 4. Faculty of Plantation & Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia Abstract: A study on pseudo-mapping of insects’ distribution and abundance in Kuala Keniam, a part of National Park was carried out in December 2009 until March 2010. For the duration of study, a total of 1,640 of individual insects were identified, which then classified into orders. There was a wide range of insects species found in the study area, belonging to at least nine orders including spiders (order: Araneae). The data were analysed and presented as pseudo-mapping by using Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The richness and diverse groups of insects in the study area are more obvious and distinct on their distribution and dispersion by using pseudo-mapping means. In future, this information and the presentation of insect’s distribution in a pseudo-mapping will be easily implemented to predict the population, dispersion and location of insect according to season. It could also encourage the ecotourism industry for providing and disseminating friendly-user information on the mesmerizing of the insects. Keywords: Pseudo-mapping, distribution, diversity, Kuala Keniam and terrestrial insects Introduction Insects are the most numerous and diverse of all groups of arthropods and the number of insect species named has been estimated at close to one million, with thousands (perhaps million) of others species yet to be discovered and classified worldwide (Hickman et al., 1990). In general, the insect of Peninsular Malaysia forest, streams and rivers are more diverse than those of temperate waters, especially dragonfly (Odonata), beetles (Coleoptera), moth (Lepidoptera), and mayflies (Ephemoptera). Only stoneflies (Plecoptera) are comparatively impoverished (Crankbrook et al., 1990). The names of insects’ order are derived from the characteristics of insects that belong to the group (Fauziah et al., 2007). These small creatures are important in human welfare, particularly because they pollinate food crop plants, control populations of others, harmful insects by predation and parasitism, and serve as food for other animals. Many insects are harmful to human interest as they feed on crop plants, and many are carries of important disease affecting humans and domestic animals (Hickman et al., 1990). Many insects are aquatic as larvae and terrestrial (aerial) as adults, thus transferring resources from one habitat to the other (Crankbrook and Furtado, 1990). The Kuala Keniam of National Park Pahang was chosen as a study area since it has the undisturbed rainforest which can give more likelihood to study on population and distribution of insect species. The study aimed to inspect the population distribution of insect in different locations at Kuala Keniam of National Park Pahang, and to exemplify in a map-like of insect present in the study area. Materials and Methods The study was carried out by means of two types of sampling namely yellow-pan water and pitfall traps. The sampling technique applied was systematic sampling. The selection of the trapping points were made randomly. The yellow-pan water and pitfall traps were set up for five replications at six different points. Each of point was estimated the coordinate using Global Positioning System (GPS) for pseudo-mapping purposes. The samplings were conducted at the months of April, June and October of 2010. First sampling was done on the last week of April. All through the samplings, it was rained and restricted the insect activity. The second sampling was conducted in the month of June, where that period was dried out. The total numbers of insect trapped were doubled in total compared to the first point. The third sampling was taken in the month of October where this period was also rained. The rainfall was not only limiting the insect activity but it also limits GPS reading. According to the Malaysia Meteorological Department, in the months of November, December of 2010 and January 2011, the east coast states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and half of Johore are the months with maximum rainfall, while June and July are the driest months in the most of districts. A good planning is required to make sure this study is completed successfully. All the works were divided into three phases which are in-situ site, camp-site, and laboratory. All the data were analysed using Shannon Winner Index and 2 Sample t-tests. The geographical data was converted into pseudo-mapping to plot the areas which showing abundance with orders of insect. Yellow-pan water trap was used to trap the flying insects. Insects were attracted to the yellow colour of pan and drown in the detergent solution. The traps were left for 24 hours in the study area (Fauziah, 2010). All the data were compiled in data sheet form as shown in the appendices. Pitfall traps were also used to trap the crawling insects. The soil should be dig first