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Wizard Beach Cycad Endangerment Survey - 18MAR06 page 2
Continuing along the beach, the area at the demarcation between beach and forest is filled with flourishing plants.
These two plants along the demarcation line were surveyed last year's trip by Al and I, along with Yari. The small cone
is progressing nicely. These were the plants that had the red/white striped caterpillars Eumeus godarti crawling on the
leaves. I replaced the marker tape on this one with another.
is progressing nicely. These were the plants that had the red/white striped caterpillars Eumeus godarti crawling on the
leaves. I replaced the marker tape on this one with another.
This double head growth from a previously cut plant is quite the norm along this beach.
After the intro by Al last year of the red/white stripped leaf eaters, my attention was directed by this one's obvious
attraction to a new leaf. Adult stage Eumeus godarti.
attraction to a new leaf. Adult stage Eumeus godarti.
The Zamia leaf eater adult made a conscious trek about the leaf. Eumeus godarti.
The adult Eumeus godarti made a couple turn abouts on the new leaf and then headed over to the mate of the leaf
pair.
pair.
This adult made a survey of the mate side of the leaflet pair, stopping at several points, and still kept searching. No
underside action was observed, and the insect flew off in another direction after about 5 mins of watching it.
underside action was observed, and the insect flew off in another direction after about 5 mins of watching it.
A not uncommon sight along Wizard Beach are the multiple headed plants, this one with two near mature cones.
Just past the stream that crosses to the ocean, there is a large wide path going uphill. On the left side of this path
perhaps 25 mtrs in, there was a large female cone well over on its side in the Sept 04 visit, which I believe was also
de-coned by Gregg & Jody after measurements. This same plant had a small cone, and noted the significant damage
to the top portion, which exposed some of the seeds. At first glance, what kind of a creature could/would inflict that
wound!? My second thought was it could be a good candidate for the camera experiment - except for its very
exposed locale and likely requiring a near on-site camping period.
perhaps 25 mtrs in, there was a large female cone well over on its side in the Sept 04 visit, which I believe was also
de-coned by Gregg & Jody after measurements. This same plant had a small cone, and noted the significant damage
to the top portion, which exposed some of the seeds. At first glance, what kind of a creature could/would inflict that
wound!? My second thought was it could be a good candidate for the camera experiment - except for its very
exposed locale and likely requiring a near on-site camping period.
On the left side of the same trail, is a coconut husk dump, and inside that area are a good many plants. This was
noted last Sept trip by Al. The narrow waist of the cone seemed a little unusual, albeit not uncommon.
noted last Sept trip by Al. The narrow waist of the cone seemed a little unusual, albeit not uncommon.
This plant, also located in the same small area as the previous, shows the great abundance in this sector. Except for
the significant clearing activity on the initial part of the beach, from the trail across the Isla, the inner section seems
to be holding its own for the time being. The supposed "Wizard Beach Development" we found in a Real Estate rag
at Allbrook airport, doesn't, as yet, appear to be making any specific magazine described "development". However,
in that there is to be another large development beyond the Red Frog Beach area; it seems prudent that we must
keep alert and seek to get with the Developer Management to educate them about the Cycads and to suggest some
conservation methods to preserve these endangered plants prior to their commencing their big dirt pushing
operations. Any suggestions?
the significant clearing activity on the initial part of the beach, from the trail across the Isla, the inner section seems
to be holding its own for the time being. The supposed "Wizard Beach Development" we found in a Real Estate rag
at Allbrook airport, doesn't, as yet, appear to be making any specific magazine described "development". However,
in that there is to be another large development beyond the Red Frog Beach area; it seems prudent that we must
keep alert and seek to get with the Developer Management to educate them about the Cycads and to suggest some
conservation methods to preserve these endangered plants prior to their commencing their big dirt pushing
operations. Any suggestions?
