›› 2002, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 629-635.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

On the structure and distribution of the insect communities of Ficus auriculata

PENG Yan-Qiong1, YANG Da-Rong1*, WANG Qiu-Yan1, ZHOU Fang2, LUO Jin-Rong2   

  • Online:2002-10-20 Published:2002-10-20

Abstract: Research was carried out on the structure and distribution of insect communities of Ficus auriculata in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna. A total of 48 974 insect specimens representing 9 orders, 30 families, 56 genera, and 70 species were collected. The most important groups were families, genera and species of the Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Homoptera, Diptera, Isoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera and Thysanoptera, of which the Coleopera and Homoptera displayed the greatest genus and species diversity. However, in terms of numbers of individuals collected the most important group was the Homoptera,which comprised 68.79% of the total. 56.58% of these were pollinating fig wasps. Fig wasps lay eggs or pollinate when female flowers are blooming, their offspring develop into adults until the male syconia are nearly mature. As far as the law of vertical distribution is concerned, species diversity and absolute numbers were greatest on the fruiting sites of old branches where 71.34% of all insects were collected. The next most important site was the crown and leaves where about 15% of specimens were found. 9.55% were found on the roots. Insects were least common on the branch axils and trunks where only 3.42% of all specimens were collected. Numbers of species and individuals varied in different seasons. The highest diversity and abundance was recorded in the rainy season (35.96%) followed by the dry season (34.22%) and the cool season (29.82%).

Key words: Ficus auriculata, insect communities, distribution