Observations on the ecology and behaviour of the New Zealand giraffe weevil (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis)

Figures & data

Figure 1 Matuku Reserve, west of Auckland, hosts an unusually high abundance of Lasiorhynchus barbicornis, making it an ideal site for behavioural observation. A, A karaka tree (Corynocarpus laevigatus) infested with L. barbicornis. B, Matuku Reserve is dominated by coastal broadleaf forest, with kauri (Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindl. ex Loudon) and tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides D. Don) ridges. C, Giraffe weevils marked with coloured paints to identify individuals during observations.

Table 1 Lasiorhynchus barbicornis host tree associations.

Scientific name	Family	Common names	Collecting localities†
Agathis australis (D. Don) Lindl. ex Loudon^1	Araucariaceae	Kauri
Aristotelia serrata (J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.) W.R.B. Oliv*	Elaeocarpaceae	Makomako, wineberry	TEP
Beilschmiedia tarairi (A. Cunn.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Kirk*	Lauraceae	Taraire	HER, PUK, PNU
Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Kirk*	Lauraceae	Tawa	MAU, WAI
Brachyglottis repanda J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. ^1	Asteraceae	Rangiora, Bushman's friend	MAT
Coprosma grandifolia Hook. f.*	Rubiaceae	Kanono	PAL
Cordyline australis (G. Forst.) Endl.*	Asparagaceae	Tī kōuka, cabbage tree	MAT, OKU
Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.^1^,^2^,^3^,^4	Corynocarpaceae	Karaka	BRE, HIC, MAT, LPA, OKU, WAI
Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. ex G. Forst.^1	Podocarpaceae	Rimu, red pine
Dysoxylum spectabile (G. Forst.) Hook.f.^1	Meliaceae	Kohekohe	LPA, MOR, PAR, PNU, PUK
Entelea arborescens R.Br.*	Tiliaceae	Whau	PUK
Hedycarya arborea J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.^1^,^2^,^4	Monimiaceae	Porokaiwhiri, pigeonwood	PAL, RAT, RUA
Hoheria sp. A. Cunn.^1^,^2	Malvaceae	Houhere, lacebark	TEP
Knightia excelsa R.Br.^1	Proteaceae	Rewarewa, NZ honeysuckle
Laurelia novae-zelandiae A. Cunn.^1	Atherospermataceae	Pukatea	MAU, RAT
Melicope ternata J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.*	Rutaceae	Wharangi	WAI
Melicytus ramiflorus J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.*	Violaceae	Māhoe, whiteywood	LPA, MAT, MAN, MAU, MGO, OMA, ORO, PAL, RAT, RUA, STU, TOT
Olearia rani (A. Cunn.) Druce^4	Compositae	Heketara
Pittosporum eugenioides A. Cunn.*	Pittosporaceae	Tarata, lemonwood	MAT
Prumnopitys taxifolia (D. Don) de Laub.^4	Podocarpaceae	Mataī, black pine
Schefflera digitata J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.*	Araliaceae	Patē, seven-finger	BRE, PNU, PUR
Sophora microphylla Aiton*	Papilionaceae	Kōwhai	BRE, MAT

* Denotes new host plant association record from the current study. Host plant associations recorded by ¹Kuschel (2003), ²Hudson (1934), ³Broun (1880), ⁴May (1993).

† BRE, Bream Head (35°51″22″S, 174°33′54″E); HER, Herekino Forest (35°09′50″S, 173°16′18″E); HIC, Hick's Bay, East Cape (37°35′99″S, 178°17′97″E); MAN, Mangamuka Forest (35°11′45″S, 173°27′07″E); MAT, Matuku Reserve (36°51′92″S, 174°28′32″E); MAU, Maungatautari (38°03′21″S, 175°33′58″E); MOR, Morere Springs (38°59′03″S, 177°47′40″E); OKU, Okura Estuary (36°40′21″S, 174°42′34″E); OMA, Omahuta Forest (35°14′04″S, 173°37′29″E); LPA, Lake Papaitonga (40°38′49″S, 175°13′57″E); PAL, Palmerston North (40°28′47″S, 175°37'10″E); PAR, Paranui Reserve (35°04′80. ″S, 173°26′33″E); PUK, Puketi Forest (35°,16′26″S, 173°41′17″E); PNU, Pukenui Forest (35°42′08″S, 174°15′51″E); PUR, Pureora Forest (38°32′03″S, 175°39′00″E); RAT, Ratapihipihi Reserve (39°06′15″S, 174°02′35″E); RUA, Ruahine Ranges (40°11′07″S, 175°52′09″E); STU, Stubb's Farm, Waitomo (38°15′44″S, 175°0′44″E); TEP, Radar Bush, Te Paki (34°28′33″S, 172°46′00″E), TOT, Totaranui (40°49′43″S, 173°0′21″E); WAI, Waitakere Ranges (36°53′25″S, 174°31′4″E).

Figure 2 Marking system used during the study of Lasiorhynchus barbicornis. Original drawing by D.W. Helmore, © Landcare Research, used with permission. Modifications by V. Ward and C.J. Painting.

Figure 3 A male Lasiorhynchus barbicornis feeding on sap dripping from a karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus) tree.

Figure 4 Number of adult Lasiorhynchus barbicornis emerging from karaka logs between 11 December 2012 and 4 April 2013.

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