Insect Damage to Leaves of Two Varieties of Metrosideros collina subsp. polymorpha

Abstract

Leaves from two varieties of Met rosideros collina subsp. polymorpha, var. polymorpha and var. glaberrima, were sampled in two successional communities on the island of Hawaii. One variety, polymorpha, has coriaceous leaves with thick pubescence on the underside, and the other, glaberrima, has thin leaves and no pubescence. Variety polymorph a was less frequently attacked by insects at both study sites. Damage by leaf-eating insects was more frequent on variety glaberrima and may be related to lack of pubescence. Differences in the frequency of insect damage both between varieties and between study sites reflected inversely differences in the frequency of occurrence of the two varieties. Greater frequency of occurrence was related to a lower frequency of insect damage.