S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 48. (Budapest, 1987)

They do not search at random, but know exactly the foodplants of the species, of when, and where, and how they can be collected. In fact, if information is needed on the ecology of ethology of tropical insects, you can call on the indigenous collector with every confidence. Insect trading often arcuses indignation, and rightfully so In many cases. However, we have to state emphatically, also on the basis of our experiences in Malaysia, that the collecting of insects in the tropics will not, with certain exceptions (e.g. in disappearing coastal forests, small islands), endanger their fauna in the least, it is but a "drop of water In the sea"

. The collecting of insects for commercial purposes can be opposed from ethical points of view, but the presentation of the case as a danger to the insect fauna is completely false and the campaign against insect collectors is but ersatz activity. If deforestations, "slash-and-burn" methods can not be prevented, then the guilty conscience may feel to have done something for the sake of the good cause by interdicting insect col lecting.

.. In Malaysia - and the situation can not be different in any other part of the tropics commercial insect collecting Is made in actually very few sites, areas in which it is a mere "sampling" and where recolonisation from outside always makes up for the removal of even the "rarest" species, or the great amount of specimens taken out year by year. There is no collecting done in the overwhelmingly greater part of the jungle, partly because it is largely impassable, partly because there are collectors only where there are also traders. More objections could be raised against the small collections of insects sold in Malaysian shops - at least from a scientific platform. The boxes contain also many a South American, Malgassian or African species, although the inscription speaks of the insect fauna of Malaysia. A word should finally be spoken about our favourable experiences: the high civilisation of the county, the kindness, courtesy and helpfulness of its people. Everywhere during our visit, in towns or in the forests, both representatives of the authorities and private citizen, were equally understanding and friendly. The conduct of the expeditions, the characteristics of the various biotopes and the diversified collecting methods were photographically documented. The following films (colour slide) were used for this purpose: Fuji Professional 50, 100 and 400 ISO. Photographic equipment consisted of: Pentax 645 Camera, Pentax SMC 55/2,8 wide angle, SMC 120/4 Macro, Novoflex 5,6/400, Metz 45 CT 5 Flash. LIST OF LOCALITIES No. 1. 1 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Tana Ratah. Tropical montane rain forest formations. Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Rhynchota, collected at 400 W Hgl lamp. No. 2. As No. 1. Collecting Insecta near the 400 W lamp. Mostly Coleoptera. No. 3. As No. 1. Netting, mostly Coleoptera and Rhynchota. No. 4. As No. 1. Collecting Insecta from under tree trunks and stones. Mostly Coleoptera. No. 5. 2 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Tana Ratah. Tropical montane rain forest formations. Collecting insecta near the 400 W lamp. Mostly Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. No. 6. 2 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Nineteen miles. Tropical montane rain forest formations. Collecting Insects, mostly Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. No. 7. As No. 6. Collecting Coleoptera from under barks. No. 8. As No. 6. Netting, mostly Coleoptera, Rhynchota and Lepidoptera. No. 9. As No. 6. Collecting Arthropoda from under tree trunks and stones. Mostly Coleoptera and Chilopoda. No. 10. As No. 6. Soil samples. No. 11. As No. 6. Netting in puddles: aquatic Insecta. Mostly Coleoptera. No. 12. 2 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Tana Ratah. Tropical montane rain forest formations. Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Rhynchota, collected at 400 W Hgl lamp. No. 13. As No. 12. Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Rhynchota and Orthopteroldea, collected at 160 W MV lamp. No. 14. 3 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Tana Ratah. Tropical montane rain forest formations. Collecting near the 160 W lamp. Mostly Rhynchota, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. No. 15. 3 March 1987. Cameron Highlands: Nineteen miles. Tropical montane rain forest formations, and tropical lowland evergreen rain forest formations. Collecting Insecta, mostly Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.