The vertical distribution of small flying insects in the lowland rain forest of Zaïre.

Abstract

To monitor the vertical distribution of flying insects in the semi-deciduous rain forest of Zaire, two types of trap were hung at four vertical levels. Large insects were excluded. The entire catch was analysed. There was a marked concentration of flying insects within and above the canopy, over a wide range of orders. The most abundant taxa showed the greatest tendency to occur at these upper levels. Within the size range collected, biomass in general reflected abundance, but was influenced by the relatively high proportion of small insects in and above the canopy. There was a strong similarity in the relative abundance of orders between trap types and sites, but total numbers varied greatly. This variation and the biases inherent in these trapping methods are discussed and we conclude that the bulk of the small flying insects of the rain forest are concentrated in the upper canopy.