DIVERSITY, ABUNDANCE, AND SPECIES RICHNESS OF AERIAL INSECTS IN DRY LAND OF KEFAMENANU, NORTH CENTRAL TIMOR, EAST NUSA TENGGARA

Abstract: It is important to conduct this research to determine the diversity, species richness, and even distribution of aerial insects based on habitat characteristics in the dry land of Kefamenanu city, North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara. The research was conducted on three types of habitats, namely dry land, rivers, and lakes by purposive sampling method. Sampling was done by documenting specimens in each habitat, identified, inventoried, and analyzed quantitatively to obtain data on species diversity, species richness, and evenness of insect species. Results revealed that aerial insects in Kefamenanu City contained 9 orders, 25 families, 44 genera, 54 species, 1998 individuals in three habitat types with diversity index (H'=3,068), evenness index (E=0.774), richness index (R). = 6.974), and dominance index (0.074). Aerial insects in dry land habitat found in 8 orders, 18 families, 32 genera, 32 species, 514 individuals with diversity index (H'=2.735), evenness index (E=0.789), richness index (R=4.966), and dominance index. (0.092). Aerial insects in river habitat found 7 orders, 20 families, 40 genera, 47 species, 792 individuals with diversity index (H'=3.205), evenness index (E=0.833), richness index (R=6.892), and dominance index (0.075). Aerial insects in lake habitat found 8 orders, 18 families, 35 genera, 39 species, 692 individuals with diversity index (H'=2,906), evenness index (E=0.793), richness index (R=5.811), and dominance index (0.083). Keywords: dry land, aerial insect, species diversity, species richness, species evenness