Maupiti

Over a number of years, we have sampled the diversity of Diptera (flies) and ants (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) on the island of Maupiti in French Polynesia. Sampling was primarily done with Malaise and Pan traps as well as hand collecting with sweep nets. Various habitats on the island were sampled including organically harvested Noni fields and cultivated Watermelon fields to compare fly diversity in different crop harvesting situations. For his masters thesis, Limb Hapairai identified Diptera from the island and compared the different crop habitats. Paul Frandsen is working on cataloging the ants of the island. This work was funded by the SANT foundation.