• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.611-616
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• 2010

To explore on the defense strategies against hervivory of broadleaved tree species growing in tropical rain forest, Solomon Islands, morphological characteristics of the leaf, leaf domatia structure and the number, herbivores insects and mites on the leaves of 26 tree species, collected from the trees growing in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Tetepare islands, were investigated from Feb. 25 to March 5, 2010. The results are summarized as follows. Six tree species including Terminalia catappa(23.08%) among total 26 species have domatia structure. Especially, domatia of T. catappa reveals two types; pouch type and pit+tuft type. Predatory mites are observed on the leaves of only three species including T. catappa. Predatory mites' number per leaf or leaflet proved a few, 0.33~0.40. Insect pests destroying the leaf of tree species are such as aphids, Diaspididae sp., larva of Lepidoptera, and Eriosoma sp.(Pemphlogidae). Ants are co-works with aphids and Diaspididae sp., and supports herbivores. These results indicate that protective mutualisms between tree and predatory mites may be less frequent in woody species of tropical rain forest in Solomon Islands.