Diversity of praying mantises (Insecta: Mantodea) in Bukit Piton Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu, Sabah

This study was the first attempt to investigate the praying mantis diversity and composition on a long term basis in a regenerating forest of bukit piton forest reserve. the study area was a disturbed forest which had been affected by logging activities and forest fires, and undergone a restoration programme. twelve sampling sessions were carried out over a period of one year, from august 2016 to july 2017, totalling 144 sampling days and nights. methods included light traps, baited traps, and manual searching. a total of 187 individuals belonging to 19 species were successfully collected. the species sampled represent approximately 16% of the species that occur in borneo. mantidae was the dominant family, accounting for about 53% of total species and 36% of total individuals. the dominant species was tropidomantis tenera which belongs to the family iridopterygidae and made up 27% of the total individuals. the diversity indices showed that the praying mantis cenosis in the area was moderately diverse. this study highlighted the importance of a regenerating forest for the preservation of a significant portion of the biodiversity. we hope that the information obtained from this study will contribute towards a better understanding of the diversity of this fascinating group of insects, as well as the importance of a regenerating forest as a habitat worthy of conservation efforts.