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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