Size, taxonomic and biomass distributions of flying insects in Central Amazonia: Forest edge vs. understory

Abstract

Significantly more individuals and biomass of nying insects were present at the forest edge than in the understory throughout the year, as monitored by flight intereeption traps, in Central Amazonia. Numbers and biomass of nying insects increased al higher rates al the edge with rainfall, associated wilh termite swarming behavior and increased Homopteran density. The mos! abundanl inseets werc Díptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Isoptera, whose ranked abundances varied wíth respect to forest edge and understory, as well as with season.