Preliminary investigations on insects affecting the reproductive stage of the silversword (Argyroxiphium Sandwicense DC) Compositae, Haleakala Crater, Maui, Hawaii

Author:

Kobayashi, Herbert K.

Title:

Preliminary investigations on insects affecting the reproductive stage of the silversword (Argyroxiphium Sandwicense DC) Compositae, Haleakala Crater, Maui, Hawaii

Periodical:

Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society

Year:

1974

Volume:

21

Pages:

397-402

Subject:

Silverswords Haleakala Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp.macrocephalum Ahinahina

Summary:

As in any typical seed plant, the flowering-to-seed stages of its life cycle are crucial. This is the case with the Haleakala silversword, (Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC.), a member of the Composite family that reproduces almost exclusively from seed. After germination and juvenile growth that is governed by a particular set of edaphic constraints, the silversword usually remains unaffected by disease or physical damage during its lifecycle, under natural conditions, until a terminal inflorescence of about 100 floral heads appears and ends a life of 7 to 20 years. However, over a time span that lasted several decades, a decline in the silversword occurred that is believed to have been caused by vandalism, browsing, and insect larval damage that were caused to developing seeds. Therefore, as part of a four-year study on the ecology of the silversword, the objective of this research was to assess the effect that insects have on the number of seeds that are available for germination in the field.

Label:

Silverswords

URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/11026

Collection:

Periodicals