-~44-
the point of disrupting the normal growth pattern."
Onotoa Atoll, Moul (28)
observed that several insects were
found on Guettarda plants.
stink bugs,
On
These included wasps,
and butterflies.
moths,
Moul reported also that
leaves of Pisonia trees were so badly damaged by leaf cutting bees that he could not find a perfect specimen of
foliage.
At Rongelap Atoll members of this Laboratory noted
infestations of a lepidopteran larva causing deformed leaves
on Guettarda plants.
They also reported that insects caused
defoliation and bud damage in plants of Terminalia sp.
and
Pisonia.
The bird population also is a factor in the production
of unhealthy plants.
Niering reported that at Kapingamarangi
Atoll the leaves of Asplenium,
Nephrolepis,
Guettarda and
Pisonia were turning brown and dying because of the fecal
droppings of the white-capped noddy tern
marcusi).
(Anous minutus
He reported that the breadfruit tree also is dam-
aged by these birds.
On Canton Island the suggestion was
made that the native birds were chiefly responsible for the
dead or dying conditions of the forest and scrub vegetation (13) ,
Other agencies also have been reported to cause chlorosis,
die-back,
slow growth,
aberrant growth forms,
and other kinds