Insects of snow tussock grassland on the East Otago Plateau

Abstract

An entomological survey was carried out in snow tussock grassland near the Great Moss Swamp and Loganburn Reservoir on the East Otago Plateau. A range of sampling methods was used but most emphasis was placed upon pitfall and light trapping. An annotated insect species list is presented, which includes 464 species in 254 genera. An indication of frequency of trapping and seasonal activity is given for each species as well as information on the wider distribution and host range of each species where possible. The composition of the vegetation in the study area is given and a list of 96 species of the most commonly occurring plants.