Further Effects of the Defoliation of Cordia macrostachya (Jacq.) R. and S.

Abstract

In connection with an attempt at the biological control of the weed Cordia macrostachya in Mauritius (see Simmonds 1948) information was required as to the effect on the plant of periodic defoliation similar to that caused by leaf-eating beetles, two species of which showed promise for introduction from the West Indies against the weed. In spite of the obvious general importance of the effect that defoliation by insects has on plants very little work has been done to determine in any particular case the manner in which a plant reacts to damage of this nature. With Cordia it was particularly important to ascertain what effect, if any, defoliation has on inflorescence and seed production.