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Dr Max Suckling. Max Suckling is a Senior Scientist with Plant & Food Research Ltd, where his research focus is on pheromone and chemical ecology of insects. Max has 20 years experience in research and research management and is a past President of the New Zealand Plant Protection Society. He completed his PhD in entomology in 1983 at Lincoln University, following completion of a post-graduate diploma in Biotechnology (1980) and a BSc (Honours) in Zoology at Massey University (1978). He joined DSIR in 1983, and has worked for Plant and Food Research (previously HortResearch) since it was formed in 1992, where he has contributed extensively to the development of sustainable methods for horticultural production in New Zealand. In November 2003, he was made Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in recognition of his significant scientific leadership on biosecurity matters. Max is also a recipient of the New Zealand 1990 Commemorative Medal for Excellence in Science.
Emeritus Prof. Tim New is an entomologist with wide interests in insect conservation, systematics and ecology and has published more than 400 reviewed papers/book chapters, and about 30 books. He is Professor of Zoology at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He serves/has served on a number of conservation advisory committees and editorial boards, and his work on insect conservation has been recognised by the Marsh Christian Trust Award for insect conservation (Royal Entomological Society) and the Henry Bates Award (Association for Tropical Lepidoptera) amongst others.
Prof. Simon Pollard. Simon is Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at Canterbury Museum and Adjunct Professor of Science Communication at the University of Canterbury. His recent research has focussed on understanding cognitive processes in a blood-drinking jumping spider from Kenya, respiratory biomechanics and the predatory behaviour of a crab spider that lives in pitcher plants in Borneo and costs associated with the evolution of extreme sexual dimorphism in an endemic New Zealand harvestmen.
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The ribbonwood anthribid Hoherius meinertzhageni,
This endemic New Zealand beetle is commonly found on lacebarks
and ribbonwoods. The males have very long antennae. Within the
pupa, the antennae are neatly coiled on each side of the flattened
rostrum. They are known to occur in the North Island from Auckland
to Wellington, and as far south as the Mackenzie in the South
Island, with one record from the Southland coast.
Adapted from Holloway (1982)
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©Landcare Research |
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The beach scale insect Sarococcus fagi
William Maskell described this bi-coloured beech mealybug in
1891. Cox (Fauna of NZ 11, 1987) added three more green-coloured
species to this endemic Nothofagus-feeding genus.They can
generally be found on N. fusca, N. menziesii and
N. solandri in forests throughout New Zealand. The photo
is of an S. fagi female collected at the Harwoods Hole
Track carpark in North-west Nelson. She is facing down towards
the leaf petiole, with her antennae tucked in beside the head,
and her four white wax tail filaments protruding from the posterior
end.
By Rosa Henderson
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©Landcare Research |
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The peppercorn scale, Epelidochiton piperis
William Maskell named this species piperis in 1882, after the
plant Macropiper or pepper tree. The genus name, Epelidochiton,
means "freckled skin" because females develop a sclerotised
patch under each plate area of the test. Peppercorn scale prefers
warmer parts of New Zealand, and has not been found south of the
Nelson area. Unlike most other native soft scales, it is able
to withstand urban environments, and can be found living on puriri
trees in Auckland parks and gardens. It is known from at least
fifteen different host plants. The photo is of a female and two
young instars
By Rosa Henderson
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©Landcare Research |
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The fern scale, Pseudaulacaspis phymatodidis
This endemic armoured scale (Diaspididae) is common on many different
ferns in New Zealand, from ground dwellers, tree ferns, hanging
ferns to filmy ferns. William Maskell gave it the specific name
phymatodidis in 1880, during a period when long-winded names were
the norm. Unfortunately it later was put into the equally long-named
genus Pseudaulacaspis, but luckily it is restricted to ferns and
we can use its common name and avoid the scientific mouthful.
The photo is of a recent collection by Ross Beever, from Pitt
Island, Chathams.
By Rosa Henderson
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©Landcare Research |
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The broom seed beetle, Bruchidius villosus (L.)
Introduced for biocontrol of broom, Cystisus scoparius,
adult beetles are commonly found inside broom flowers. Females
lay pale coloured, elongate eggs singly on the outside of green
seed pods, and a single larva develops inside an individual seed.
Adult beetles escape from dry, blackened pods when they dehisce
in summer. This beetle also develops on tree lucerne (tagasaste)
(Chamaecytisus palmensis or Cytisus proliferus).
By Pauline Syrett
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©Landcare Research |
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Snapshots of NZ Entomology
The Pit Island longhorn, Xylotoles costatus Pascoe
Early records of this longhorn are all from Pitt Island and Chatham
Island, but more recently it has been seen only on Rangitira.
and is believed to be extinct on the larger islands. Larvae feed
on Coprosma chathamica, and adults have occasionally been
seen climbing trunks of Coprosma trees at night. The species
is regarded as endangered, and is classed as Nationally Critical.
By Rowan Emberson
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©Landcare Research |
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