The Conservation of Juniper: The Associated Fauna with Special Reference to Southern England

Abstract

The phytophagous arthropods on Juniperus and their known alternative food-plants in the British Isles are listed. Of the more specific species, 29 are native, 8 introduced and 1 apparently extinct. The distribution of each of these species is superimposed on that of the juniper, and there is a striking difference between the northern and southern faunas. Maps of the known distribution of 26 of these species was prepared. Over 70 parasitic and predacious arthropods associated with the phytophagous species have been tabulated, and some of these may also be specific to the juniper. For southern England the common but non-specific fauna was described. It was grouped into general predators, species associated with epiphytic algae and lichens, overwintering fauna, and miscellaneous sheltering fauna. Over 100 common species were listed. A general comparison was made of the fauna of 6 shrubs including juniper on a site in southern England. The conservation of juniper and its fauna is considered in the light of the results, and the importance of the specific species is emphasized.