Effects of opossum browsing on northern rata trees in the orongorongo valley, wellington, new zealand

Abstract

Browsing damage caused by opossums(Trichosurus vulpecula) was assessed visually, against a simple index, on 24 northern rata trees(Metrosideros robustaA. Cunn.) every 2 months from November1969 to November 1974. All 24 trees showed some damage, and 3 died as a result of continuedheavy browsing; 7 of 26 other rata trees in the study area have died similarly since 1969. Whenopossums were excluded from 5 previously browsed trees, all recovered. Stick insects (Phasmatidae)contributed about 3% to the total damage, but with other defoliating insects may be more importantin other parts of New Zealand. © 1976 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.