STICK INSECT (PHASMIDA) DIVERSITY IN RANCHAN, SERIAN, SARAWAK

Abstract

The diversity of the Stick Insect (Phasmida) assemblages in the forests of Ranchan Recreational Park (1º 08’N, 110º 35’E), Serian, Sarawak was investigated.  The overall diversity was considerably high with 13 species from 12 genera recorded from a total of 254 individuals.  These species belong to four families: Bacillidae, Heteronemiidae, Pseudophasmatidae and Phasmatidae.  Two species are new records for Sarawak, being not found in existing collections in the Sarawak Museum and the Sarawak Forestry Department (Neoclides sp. and one unidentified species). The subfamily Necrosciinae is found to be the most diverse subfamily encountered (H’ = 0.254) while Haaniella grayi was the dominant species found at the site. The occurrence and abundance of phasmids in Ranchan were found to be mostly dependent on the presence of suitable food plants.