C. N. Smithers

The Psocoptera of Barrow and Boodie Islands, Western Australia

This paper records the first Psocoptera known from Barrow and Boodie Islands, off the west coast of Western Australia. Liposcelis entomophilus (Enderlein), Caecilius sp., Peripsocus fici sp. n. and Barrowia insularis gen. et sp. n. occur on Barrow Island; Cladioneura foliata sp. n. occurs on both Barrow and Boodie Islands.

The invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

Abstract The range of microhabitats and microclimatic conditions provided by epiphytes has been linked to the high diversity of invertebrates in many forest canopies worldwide, but comparably little is known about the invertebrate fauna in this habitat in New Zealand. This study compiled an inventory of the invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) at two study sites on the West Coast of the South Island. A total of 242 069 invertebrate specimens was collected over one year, representing 4 phyla, 9 classes and more than 160 families, 225 genera and 446 species. At least 10 new species and 3 new genera were identified, while 5 species were recorded outside their known geographical range. Epiphyte mats provided habitat for an invertebrate fauna, highly diverse and abundant both taxonomically and functionally, dominated in terms of abundance by Acari, Collembola and Hymenoptera (largely ants), and in terms of feeding guilds by epiphyte grazers and ants. As the first inventory of this taxonomic depth and breadth compiled for New Zealand forest epiphyte habitats, this study provides important baseline data for the conservation of biodiversity in New Zealands indigenous forests.

The female and egg of Austromerope poultoni Killington (Mecoptera: Meropeidae)

The hitherto unknown female of Austromerope poultoni Killington is described and comments made on its relationships. The egg, dissected from the ovary, is described.