Assemblages of nocturnal beetles (coleoptera) in Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) research station, Jeli using portable light trap

This study aimed to examine the assemblages of nocturnal beetles (Coleoptera) at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Research Station in Jeli, using portable light traps for data collection. Sampling was conducted over a period of 28 nights, with two light traps set up each evening, operating for a total of 12 hours to capture beetles active during nocturnal hours. A total of 23 individual beetles were collected, representing three families: Scarabaeidae, Eulichadidae, and Cicindelidae. The Scarabaeidae family emerged as the most abundant, comprising approximately 65% of the total specimens, with Phyllophaga sp. identified as the dominant species within this family. In contrast, the Cicindelidae family was represented by a single individual, making it the least abundant family in the study. The species accumulation curve indicated that the sampling effort was sufficient to capture the majority of beetle species present in the study area. Environmental factors, particularly rainfall, were found to influence beetle activity and capture rates. The data provide valuable baseline information on the diversity and distribution of nocturnal beetles within a tropical forest ecosystem, highlighting the need for further research with larger sample sizes and seasonal variations to better understand beetle assemblages and their ecological roles.