Ecological studies of a marine terrace sequence in the Waitutu Ecological District of southern New Zealand. Part 4: Insecta: Lepidoptera and Coleoptera

Abstract

The very small portion of the fauna sampled shows no indication of an ancient element. In fact most species encountered are rather widespread, except, for example, the impressive stag bettIe Dorcus philpotti, which elsewhere is known only from southern Fiordland to the west of Hump Ridge. The low number of species in the bog areas is also notable since in the eastern South Island this habitat has a rich moth fauna. The faucity of understorey plant species palatable to deer is likely to have depleted the variety and viability of moths in forest habitats.