International Journal of Nematology and Entomology

ISSN 2756-3839

International Journal of Nematology and Entomology Vol. 1 (5), pp. 083-088, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) in Malaysian tropical rivers: Diversity and seasonality

Suhaila Abdul Hamid* and Che Salmah Md. Rawi

School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 23 September, 2013

Abstract

Adult stoneflies (Plecoptera) were light-trapped monthl from January to December 2008 in Tupah River, Kedah, Malaysia. Two families of Plecoptera, Perlidae and Nemouridae were represented with nine species. More Plecoptera was collected in the wet seasons especially for the family Nemouridae. Neoperla asperata was a common species that occurred throughout the year. Neoperla fallax was equally common but this species was absent during early part of the year. The percentage of females was higher than male for all species of Plecoptera collected.

Key words: Upstream river, Plecoptera, season, sex ratio, peninsular Malaysia.