Open AccessTHE INSECT FAUNA OF THE WEED PTERIDUM AQUILINUM (L.) KUHN (POLYPODIACEAE) IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA: A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS.
Author(s) -
Kirk A. A.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1977.tb00129.x
Subject(s) - pteridium aquilinum , biology , lepidoptera genitalia , new guinea , plutella , fauna , biological pest control , insect , polypodiaceae , botany , hemiptera , ecology , fern , ethnology , history
In Papua New Guinea 16 Coleoptera, 1 Diptera, 1 Hemiptera, 5 Lepidoptera and 1 Orthoptera species attacked Pteridium aquilinum ; 3 of the Coleoptera and 1 Lepidoptera also attacked other ferns. Papua New Guinea Pteridium contained HCN and phytoecdysones. The potential of the insects as a source of biological control agents is discussed.