Insect fauna of Seonginbong in Ulleungdo, Korea

Abstract

Seonginbong primeval forest (984 m) located in the center of Ulleungdo, an island of Korea, is designated as forest genetic resource reserve by the Korea Forest Service, and as Natural Monument No. 189. Approximately 40 species of endemic plants that are native to Ulleungdo are found at Seonginbong. In addition, there are colonies of Fagus engleriana , Acer okamotoanum, and Tilia insularis , which are rare on the Korean Peninsula. The distribution of insects inhabiting plants is expected to differ when compared to the inland distribution, and therefore, this study investigated the insect fauna of Seonginbong on Ulleungdo by altitude. The survey was conducted four times in 2020 using four collection methods (light trap, pit-fall trap, molasses trap, and sweeping). Seonginbong was divided into lowland (300–500 m), midland (500–800 m), and highland (800–980 m) sections, and each section was subdivided into five collection points. A total of 11 orders and 113 families were collected. Further investigation with identification at the species level is required to determine the diversity of the insect fauna at Seonginbong.