Observations on the ecology of the phasmatid Ctenomorphodes tessulata (Gray).

By P. HADLINGTON and F. HOSCHKE.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 1959, Vol. lxxxiv, Part 2.


Synopsis.

The phasmatid, Ctenomorphodes tessulata (Gray, 1835) is a defoliator of trees in the coastal forests of northern New South Wales where it reached outbreak proportions during 1955-56. Its known range is from Colombatti State Forest, near Kempsey, New South Wales, to Goodwood, near Maryborough, in Queensland. Outbreaks have only been recorded from forests in New South Wales. C. tessulata is not host specific since it has attacked a wide range of species of the genera Eucalyptus, Syncarpia, Acacia and Casuarina.

Descriptions of adults and eggs, and a key to the nymphal instars are given. The life cycle in the field, laboratory observations and experiments are described. Investigations show that cleptid egg parasites and disease of the phasmatid eggs are regulating factors.

A similar stand composition occurs in all the areas of high phasmatid population. The effect of the defoliation on the management of forests is considered.

It is suggested that the occurrence of forest fires is followed by an increase in the numbers of C. tessulata. The probable effect of fire on the cleptid parasites is also discussed. There appears to be a correlation between the large fires of 1951-52 and the outbreak of C. tessulata in 1955-56.


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