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

En – AGROVOC descriptors

PHASMIDA; INSECTA; HOST PLANTS; LIFE CYCLE; NATURAL ENEMIES

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