A study of the arthropoda associated with Olearia colensoi hook. f.

Abstract

The present study is an investigation of the Arthropoda associated with Olearia colensoi Hooker f. This is a subalpine scrub plant that occupies a narrow altitudinal belt between the treeline and the alpine grassland on many of the wetter parts of the New Zealand mountains.

Reports in the literature indicate that this plant, important in erosion control, was and is suffering an unduly high level of damage. It has been considered by a number of authors that insects are at least partly responsible for this damage.

Consequently a survey was designed in order to discover the arthropods associated with Olearia colensoi at various localities throughout its range and elucidate their role. A secondary aim was to sample the general fauna of the subalpine areas visited and especially that of Olearia colensoi stands.