POSSIBLE NEW INSECT INVASION

Since the end of December 2005, the Invertebrate Department of the Charles Darwin Foundation has been receiving reports of a small black insect in Puerto Ayora which is found, especially, in ficus plants. After looking at samples, a preliminary identification was made. "We believe that it is a new introduced species Gynaikothrips ficorum. This insect is found in various parts of the world."

In Galapagos, as well as attacking the ficus plant (an ornamental plant distributed throughout Puerto Ayora) it is feared that it could threaten around 57 species of native and endemic plants. At present around 50 insects have been found on native and introduced plants.

These small insects (1-4mm) feed on plants as well as using the leaves as refuge; an indication of their presence is a small white stain on the leaves as well as black droppings. When attacked in this way, the leaves dry and fall. There have also been reports of them biting people, leaving a similar bite to a mosquito.

Currently a scientific survey is being carried out to see how far these insects are distributed.

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