Tropical Insect Workshop in Sabah: Advancing Dung Beetle Ecology, Taxonomy, and Conservation Capacity in Sabah

From 28–30 April 2026, over 80 participants from various agencies gathered in Sabah for the Tropical Insect Workshop. Organised by the Sabah Forestry Department through its Forest Research Centre (FRC) in Sepilok, the workshop—titled “Small Wonders of the Rainforests: Understanding Tropical Insects” brought together researchers, practitioners, and government officers with a shared interest in tropical biodiversity.

Top: Group photo with all the guests, speakers, and participants; Bottom: The workshop was officiated by the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning & Management), Tn Indra Sunjoto, representing the Chief Conservator of Forests. Photo: SFD, FRC, 2026

Tropical Ecology & Entomology (TEE) Lab, Asian School of the Environment, NTU College of Science, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore was honoured to be invited to share our ongoing work on dung beetle research in Sabah. The session, delivered by TEE Lab Research Fellow, Dr. Chiew Li Yuen, brought together government staff, tourism board, and researchers to explore how dung beetles can support biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts across tropical landscapes.

Top & Bottom: TEE Lab research fellow, Dr. Chiew Li Yuen presented work from TEE Lab on dung beetle research in the lowland landscapes of Sabah, highlighting their role in biodiversity monitoring, taxonomy, and capacity building for conservation. Photo: SFD, FRC, 2026

The presentation highlighted TEE Lab’s work on dung beetle ecology and diversity in the lowland landscapes of Sabah. Despite decades of research, much remains unknown. While over a hundred species have been described, many more are likely still undiscovered. This underscores the importance of taxonomy and well-curated reference collections. Strengthening taxonomic capacity, through training, collaboration, and access to collections is therefore a critical step in advancing biodiversity science in the region.

We thank the Sabah Forestry Department and the Forest Research Centre for the opportunity to share our work and for their continued efforts in advancing biodiversity conservation in Sabah. By working together, we can build the foundations needed to better understand and protect tropical biodiversity.

An evening dinner with the invited speakers, providing an opportunity for informal discussions and networking. Photo: SFD, FRC, 2026