New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract

The naturalisation of banyan figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) and their pollinating wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) in New Zealand

RHYS O. GARDNER
JOHN W. EARLY

Auckland Institute and Museum
Private Bag 92018
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract  The Australian banyan-type fig trees Ficus macrophylla and F. rubiginosa are commonly cultivated in northern New Zealand. Both have now acquired their pollinating wasps, apparently by long-distance dispersal. Pleistodontes imperialis, the wasp specific to F. rubiginosa, arrived within the last 20 years or so, and naturalised plants are found near parent trees. The wasp specific to F. macrophylla, P. froggatti, is newly recorded here for New Zealand, and naturalisation of this fig too seems inevitable. The size and vigour of both figs and their lack of natural enemies (notably an immunity to possum browsing) indicate that they may be able to invade forest and other native plant communities.

Keywords  Ficus macrophylla; Ficus rubiginosa; Moraceae; Pleistodontes froggatti; Pleistodontes imperialis; Agaonidae; new records; pollination; New Zealand flora; naturalised plants

B95008

Received 27 February 1995; accepted 16 August 1995

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