Lowland Insects on Mountain Tops

Abstract

Three species of widely distributed lowland butterflies and the Australian eucalyptus tortoise beetle, Paropsis dilatata Er., have been observed at altitudes of 4,000-5,000 feet above sea-level in the Tararua Ranges during the summer of 1958-1959 by one of us (G. W. G.) employed there by the New Zealand Forest Service on their alpine ecological survey. Lowland insects are also reported from the summit of Mt. Egrnont during January, 1955, from 4,000 feet in the Kaweka Ranges during February, 1957, and from 5,000 feet in the Kaimanawa Ranges during March, 1959. The Red Admiral, T7anessa gonerilla F.; was present on McIntosh in the Southern Tararuas at approximately 4,000 feet on January 21, and on Mitre at a similar altitude and in considerable numbers on March 8, 1959. One of these was observed feeding at flowers of Dracophyl lum un i f lo rum Hook. f Both localities were in scrub and tussock above the bushline. Dodonidia helmsi Fered., occurred in tussock country at a height of over 4,000 feet on the Dress Circle on January 19 and on McIntosh on January 21. Food plants and adults of both these species were present at lower altitudes in the Tararua Ranges, where the butterflies were probably breeding. Hudson (1928, p. 35) remarks that he has seen V. gonerilla between 4,000 and 5,000 feet in mountainous districts and that D, helmsi frequents sunny glades in beech forest often at considerable elevations . The above record of the latter species is therefore probably the first of its occurrence far above the bushline. The White Butterfly, Pieris rapae L., was generally common above 4,000 feet in the Tararuas throughout January and February. On March 7 several specimens were seen in misty conditions at approximately 4,500 feet on Mitre.