The insect fauna of broom, Cytisus scoprius, in New Zealand

Abstract

The above-ground fauna of broom, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link, was sampled for 1 complete season (1982-3) at a site on the Port Hills, Canterbury. Comparative samples in both November 1988 and January 1989 were taken from broom bushes at each of 17 sites throughout New Zealand. The most numerous species were the thrips Thrips obscuratus (Crawford) and the cryptophagid beetle Paratomaria atomaroides (Reitter). Only 2 specialised broom-feeding species were recorded: the twigmining moth Leucoptera spartifoliella Hübner and the tetranychid mite Byobia variabilis Manson. The invertebrate fauna of broom in New Zealand was found to be meagre compared to that in its native Europe.

Keywords:

• broom
• Cytisus scoparius
• insect fauna
• biological control
• New Zealand