Biology Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 6-2013
Journal
New Zealand Entomologist
Volume
37
Issue
1
First Page
35
Last Page
44
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00779962.2013.784235
Abstract
Stick insects are found in a variety of habitats throughout New Zealand, including at least four species that occur at high altitudes. Here they face physiological challenges that differ from their typically warmer lowland habitats, but their strategies to deal with harsh winter conditions are not known. Autumn and winter field surveys, coupled with caging experiments, were conducted to determine which life stages are overwintering in montane and lowland habitats. Data loggers were placed for approximately one year at each site to measure the leaf litter and canopy microhabitat temperatures. From this, we have found that alpine and lowland stick insects persist in a variety of life stages throughout the year despite multiple exposure to freezing temperatures.
Notes
submission must be accompanied by the following statement:
"This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor and Francis in New Zealand Entomologist on June 2013, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00779962.2013.784235"