Dg Fazrinah’s scientific contributions

There are about 2,400 mantises described worldwide. Borneo has among the highest diversity with 118 species. Featured here are selected praying mantis species in Sabah. Praying mantises have a prayer-like posture with their raptorial forelegs held up and ever-ready to strike its prey. They belong to the order Mantodea, meaning ‘prophet form’. Mantises are fiercely predacious, capturing insects with their spiky and hooked forelegs. Mantises have very good eyesight and are the only insects that can turn their head to 180 degrees.

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order Odonata, meaning 'tooth jaw' in ancient Greek. They are fearless carnivorous insects with formidable jaws that prey on other winged insects. Dragonflies are grouped under the suborder Anisoptera, with a robust body and wings spread out horizontally at rest. Damselflies of the suborder Zygoptera have a thinner and more delicate body with their wings folded vertically when resting. There are 371 species and subspecies of Odonata throughout Borneo, with 190 species recorded in Sabah. About 51% are endemic to Borneo. They are often found near water bodies, such as ponds, streams, swampy and riverine areas. Highlighted here are selected Odonata species found in Sabah.

An insect survey was carried out from 15th to 20th of May, 2023 along the trails to Mount Sinsing and its adjacent areas in Kg. Nupakan, Tambunan. Mt. Sinsing is the 3rd tallest mountain (2,586 m) in Malaysia. This is the first insect documentation of Mt. Sinsing since no insect survey was conducted in the past. Some interesting insects were recorded during this brief survey, comprising butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies, stick insects, ants, bugs and flies. At least 15 Bornean endemic species were documented. The insect species recorded are significant information for biodiversity conservation of the Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve, which will contribute towards the preparation of forest management plan as well as High Conservation Value (HCV) report. This information shows the intrinsic value of the site and the collected data could help in managing sustainable tourism programme in conserving biodiversity. It is also crucial to inform the villagers and visitors on the importance of protecting the area and its biodiversity.

This rapid insect survey was carried out from 18th to 22nd of October, 2021 in Sg. Tikolod and Sg. Tindikon Forest Reserves, Tambunan, Sabah. An average of 61 nocturnal insect species from 70 individuals was recorded from a one-metre-square area of the light-trapping cloth. The mean Shannon Index was 4.02 while Simpson Index was 144.33 and Fisher Alpha Index was 240.87. At least 7 Bornean endemic species were recorded during the brief survey. These pioneer data will serve as baseline information for other research work in future. The data will further strengthen the management of Sg. Tikolod and Sg. Tindikon Forest Reserves as Class I Forest Reserves (Protection). Some issues with the local communities would have to be resolved since the reserves were only gazetted recently in 2016 from their stateland status. The information on insect diversity and the aesthetic value of some of the beautiful species can be used to promote sustainable nature tourism since the reserves are located close to Tambunan.

Moths form a very large insect group under the order Lepidoptera. There are about 10,000 species in Borneo. Mostly night-flying, they range in wingspan from 3 mm to about 28 cm of the gigantic Atlas Moth, Attacus atlas, which is among the largest insects in the world. Vital roles of moths in the tropical ecosystem include pollinators, biodiversity and environmental health indicators, and a source of food for other wildlife. The larvae of some species can cause severe damage in forestry and agriculture, as defoliators, stem and shoot borers. Showcased here are 71 moth species in varying sizes, patterns and colours from the tropical rainforests of Sabah.

Katydids, crickets and grasshoppers belong to the insect order Orthoptera. Katydids (bush crickets) and crickets are mainly active at night, having long antennae and distinct ovipositor (female) while grasshoppers are active by day, with short antennae and barely developed ovipositor. It is estimated that there are at least 785 species of katydids, crickets and grasshoppers in Borneo. Some katydids and crickets are significant in the ecosystems as pollinators and predators. Some grasshoppers, however, cause considerable damage to plant foliage. Featured here are some of the Orthoptera species found in Sabah (Photos are not according to scale).

There are some 940 species of butterflies in Borneo, with 81 species found only on this island. Featured in this poster are selected butterfly species found in Sabah. They are the third most populace pollinator behind bees, wasps and flies. Without pollinators, there will be no fruits and this will adversely affect the food supply for humans as well as animals. They are also often used as bioindicators on the health status of the environment as they are sensitive towards environmental changes. This poster was produced by the Entomology Section of the Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department, to showcase butterfly diversity in Sabah and to promote nature tourism.

This book showcases an introductory account to the diversity of insects in the tropical rainforests of Sabah. It provides an overview and promotes environmental awareness on the beauty of insects to the general public, especially students, so that they appreciate the uniqueness of insects in Sabah. This layman publication was written in simple Malay language, with various beautiful macro photos. All photos were taken while conducting research and documentation on insect diversity under the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative, spearheaded by the Sabah Forestry Department. The HoB Initiative is a ‘three countries – one vision’ responsibility, which is to protect and conserve the rich biodiversity within this area. The State Government, through the Sabah Forestry Department, has in fact designated about 39,000 km2 of the state’s landmass, mainly comprising the important inland and highland forest ecosystems, as part of HoB areas.

This compilation provides an updated list of the Bornean endemic butterflies. As of 2020, there are 81 Bornean endemic butterfly species. The family Lycaenidae has the most endemics, with 42 species, followed by Nymphalidae (15), Hesperiidae (9), Pieridae (6), Papilionidae (5) and Riodinidae (4). Ohtsuka (1996) reported 94 endemic species in Borneo, and it was quoted by Chey (2007). Therefore, there is a reduction of 13 species over a period of 24 years. This is not surprising as more butterfly diversity surveys are being conducted over the years in various other countries and regions, and hence, more discoveries of the Bornean endemic butterflies found elsewhere. The images (male & female specimens and their underside (U)) and text for this compilation were taken from Otsuka (1988 & 2001), Seki et al. (1991) and Maruyama & Otsuka (1991).

The Odonata fauna of Kangkawat Research Station in Imbak Canyon was surveyed during the Borneo Biogeographic Expedition from 28 September to 9 October 2018. A total of 56 species in 12 families were recorded – 18 species in Libellulidae, eight species in Platycnemididae, six species in Coenagrionidae, five species in Calopterygidae, four species each in Chlorocyphidae and Platystictidae, three species each in Euphaeidae and Gomphidae, two species in Synthemistidae and one species each in Devadattidae, Philosinidae and Aeshnidae. Of these, 10 species are new records for Imbak Canyon. The total number of species known from Imbak Canyon is now 83. Generally, Imbak Canyon is rich in Odonata, and it is a refuge for many uncommon species. Nevertheless, many more parts of the area still need to be explored for a more comprehensive picture of the Odonata of Imbak Canyon