Stick insects (Phasmatodea) on economically important crops
Issue Date
10-2009
Abstract
Eight species of stick insects (Phasmatodea) have been found associated with and feeding on 10 economically important plants. These are Eubulides taylori and Trachyaretaon echinatus under the family Heteropterygidae, Megacrania batesi, Mnesilochus mindanaense and Rhamphosipyloidea philippa under the family Diapheromeridae, Pharnacia magdiwang, Pharnacia ponderosa and Phasmotaenia elongate under the family Phasmatidae. On the other hand, the plants on which they were observed to feed include, among others, common fruit trees like mango, guava, kalumpit and pili as well as ornamentals like gardenia. These common, readily available host plants have become convenient food sources for captive breeding both for research and museum display purposes. Except for M. batesi on pandan (for mat-weaving), no species has ever attained so high population levels or caused economic injury to plants as to warrant pest status in the Philippines. This is possibly due to their relatively longer life cycles, compared to other insect pests. Their natural enemies probably also exert effective natural population regulation and help maintain their low (non-pest) level of population both in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Lastly, the occurrence of these endemic insect herbivores on exotic host plants presents interesting aspects of host pant-arthropod herbivore relationships.
Source or Periodical Title
Philippine Entomologist
ISSN
0048-3753
Volume
23
Issue
2
Page
202
Document Type
Article
Frequency
semi-annually
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Lit, Ireneo L. Jr. and Eusebio, Orlando L., "Stick insects (Phasmatodea) on economically important crops" (2009). Journal Article. 5433.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/5433
En – AGROVOC descriptors
PHASMIDA; INSECTA; HOST PLANTS; LIFE CYCLE; NATURAL ENEMIES