A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR ACCESSING TREE CANOPIES TO MEASURE INSECT HERBIVORY

Studies of insect herbivory in trees have been limited by logistical p roblems associated with obtaining repeated samples from upper and peri pheral canopy locations, and with the need to limit damage to trees as a consequence of sampling. This paper describes the technique of usin g a safe, portable, repeatedly assembled aluminium scaffolding tower t o access tree canopies which, because of lack of strength, do not perm it use of other sampling techniques. The tower inflicts minimal damage on trees and permits repeated sampling within canopies, thus making i t an appropriate device for herbivory studies. It could also be used i n studies of floristics, pollination and invertebrate abundance and di stribution.