The Bionomics and Anatomy of the Genus Argosarchus Hutt with an Account of Characters of Possible Value in the Taxonomy of the Family Phasmidae

Abstract

The Phasmidae are among the more curious of the native insects of this country but up to recent years have attracted little attention from zoologists. Apart from taxonomic notes by Hutton (1897, 1898) and a few scattered descriptions from the records of the scientific voyages, no particular study has yet been published on the Phasmidae of New Zealand. Phasmids are found in their most abundant and varied forms in the tropical climate of the Malay Archipelago and Polynesia. Under these favourable conditions certain species have been reported to occur in great numbers and to cause severe damage to valuable plantations. For example, O'Connor (1949) describes the depredations of the coconut stick-insect, Graeffea crouani Le Guill, in Samoa and Tonga. In New Zealand the Phasmidae are widespread and represented by 5 genera and some 23 species ranging throughout the North and South Islands. However, in spite of the voracious appetite of the individuals, the group is not likely at any time to become of economic importance in this country, as it is associated with plants of no commercial value, and in our less favourable climate, rarely increases in numbers sufficiently to affect the growth of even these.