Diversity and efficacy of insect sampling methods in an urban tropical dry forest of the Colombian Caribbean

Tropical dry forests (TDFs) are among the most threatened ecosystems in Colombia and globally. Characterized by distinct dry and wet seasons, TDFs support a rich diversity of flora and fauna and offer crucial ecosystem services, despite facing significant threats such as deforestation, urbanization and climate change. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of insect diversity within an urban TDF area in Puerto Colombia, Atlántico and in the Colombian Caribbean, by comparing three traditional sampling methods: Malaise traps, pitfall traps, and canopy fogging. In total, 3,135 insects were collected, representing 413 morphospecies across various trophic guilds. Our findings indicate that Malaise traps were the most effective in capturing a diverse range of species, followed by pitfall traps, while canopy fogging yielded the lowest species richness. Each method captured unique species, demonstrating that these methods are complementary in capturing the full spectrum of insect diversity in TDFs. Additionally, our study contributes valuable data on the taxonomic and functional diversity of insects in this continuously threatened ecosystem, underscoring the need for conservation efforts in urban and peri-urban TDFs.