Survey of hesperids found in three age groups of calamus manan planted under rubber trees
2001
Aminuddin Mohamad | H. Steiner
In the face of dwindling natural resources, rattanis slowly becoming a plantation crop. This is especially true for Calamus manan, which hasbeen successfully planted in between rubber trees. However, systematic surveys of theassociated insect fauna are few. In a study of phytophagous insects in plots of three differentage-groups of C. manan planted under rubber trees, hesperid larvae were found to be themost important herbivores. Four different species, Gangara thyrsis, Erionota hiraca, Quedaramonteithi and Salanoemia sala, were observed regularly, with increasing abundance in the statedorder. An additional species, Zela sp. was found on a few occasions only. Abundance of G.thyrsis and E. hiraca were quite similar, while those of Q monteithi and S. sala were significantlydifferent from the first two and from each other. Differences in abundance between thedifferent aged plots were only significant for the two least abundant species. It was concludedthat the hesperid fauna did not show any age-related differences between the plots of rattan.The dynamics of G. thyrsis, E. hiraca and Q. monteithi did not show any distinct pattern duringthe observation period, with only minor variation in their abundance. Salanoemia sala, whileshowing the same pattern in the first part of the survey, displayed a 10- to 20-fold abundanceincrease in one month during the second part of the survey. Possible relations with climaticdata are discussed, as well as possible economic considerations. No adverse effects areexpected at the current levels, but a close eye on the future development is recommended.
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