Disrtibution and abundance of aquatic insects based on rapid assessment method at streams of Terengganu and Tumpat Estuary, Kelantan

Abstract

The study was conducted at eight streams in various parts of Terengganu and an estuary in Tumpat, Kelantan between 22 May 2006 until 13 October 2006. They were Sungai Jeneris, Sungai Nerus, Lata Tembakah, Lata Belatan, Sungai Kemat, Belukar Bukit and two unnamed streams of Bukit Bauk. A total of 1431 aquatic insects' individuals were collected, consisting of seven orders and 43 families. Perlidae from the order Plecoptera had the highest collected individuals (34%) followed with Hydropscychidae (22%) (order Trichoptera) and Heptageniidae (16%) (order Ephemeroptera). Lata Tembakah recorded the most individuals collected with 423 while Tumpat was the least with 46 individuals only. Rocky streams beds, fast flowing water with little debris and forest litter maximized the collection of aquatic insects in some streams.