Abstract
KNOWLEDGE of the insect fauna of small but important islands is very desirable before such fauna is inevitably changed by the operations of man and species have become extinct. In certain cases this must have happened even before some animals were discovered, as in Hawaii, for example. The island of Guam is very isolated in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and measures nearly 30 miles long and 4-8 miles wide. A rainfall of about 90 inches per annum is usual and mostly during July-November. The northern half of the island is an elevated limestone plateau originally covered with tropical jungle, of which much still remains. Areas with sufficient soil are occupied by gardens and small farms, and there are a few small settlements. The southern half of the island includes a low volcanic range of mountains near the western shore, the highest peak being 1,334 ft. Streams on the eastern slope are the larger, and at the mouths of the valleys are located coastal villages. Much of the farming is carried on in the valleys, especially rice culture. On the plateau region are some cattle ranches. Rice is the only irrigated crop: not enough is grown to supply all needs and in 1936 importations were made from Japan. Other crops are corn, copra and many kinds of fruits and vegetables.
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IMMS, A. THE INSECTS OF GUAM. Nature 152, 55 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/152055a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/152055a0