Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 3. Terrestrial Resources
Draft 1 March 2007
Maa (1968) reported the Hippoboscidae (Diptera), Olfersia pusilla, O. aenescens, and O.
spinifera from Abariringa (Canton), Birnie, McKean, Orona (Hull), and Rawaki (Phoenix).
The food plant needed by the monarch butterfly simultaneously was established on
Abariringa (Canton) (Carlquist 1981). The presence of the monarch butterfly on Abariringa
(Canton) showed a surprizing range of long-distace dispersal (Carlquist 1981).
About 100 species of insects have been collected on Abariringa (Canton) (Bryan 1974; see
also Garnett 1983).
Edwards and Thornton (2001) noted that the dragonfly, Pantala flavescens, had great powers
of over sea dispersal and had reached oceanic islands such as Abariringa (Canton) that were
at least 1,000 km from the nearest land.
Oates (2003) noted that monarch butterflies were observed on Abariringa (Canton).
One resident on Abariringa (Canton) raised bees (Oates 2003). Annual production of honey
was about 125 gallons.
Pierce et al (2006) reported on the occurance of ants on Abariringa (Kanton), Birnie,
Enderbury, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Rawaki (see Table III-3.12 below). None of
these species were considered invasive.
Table III-3.12. Ant species in the Phoenix Islands, May to June 2006.
(source: Pierce et al 2006).
50