Colour preferences in sand dune insects found on ice plant flowers

Abstract

The ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis (L.), family Aizoaceae) is a succulent perennial native to South Africa that has been introduced widely around the world to prevent erosion of sandy or loose soils. At New Brighton sand dunes near Christchurch, dense mats of C. edulis now form part of a flora dominated by exotic plants, including marram grass (Ammophila arenaria L.), tree lupin (Lupinus arboreus Sims) and purple ragwort (Senecio elegans L.).