Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

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Covid-19 Restrictions

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Franny Brewer

Our office in Hilo is currently closed to the public. We are committed to protecting our island and all of our wonderful community from the impacts of invasive species as much as we can, and right now, it looks like that includes the viral kind!

In aligning with current recommendations, we are taking these steps to limit social interaction and prevent the spread of Covid19:

  • Our office in Hilo is currently closed to the public.
  • If you have questions or want to report something weird, don’t hesitate! Email us at biisc@hawaii.edu, FB message, call 933-3340, or text (808) 731-9232.
    • Samples of ants for identification: please mail them (frozen!) to 23 E. Kawili Street and we will try to get your to you results within a week of receipt.
    • Please DO NOT drop off insects or plant materials for ID at our office – there is no guarantee there will be anyone available to receive them and put them in refrigeration. Contact us to discuss specimen receipt.
  • LFA Community Huis/Other Invasive Species talks: We can arrange for limited public talks with strict Covid precautions (outdoor venue, all participants masked, minimum social distance). We can also offer virtual meetings for your community of any age and topic need! Just reach out and we’ll work with you to determine how to best meet your needs safely.

Please take care and follow all recommendations for social distancing and good hygiene. We look forward to seeing all of you very soon, happy, healthy, and ready to battle some invasive species when this crisis has passed. Much aloha from the BIISCuits!

Filed Under: News, Slider

Teachers: BIISC Online for You & Your Students!

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Franny Brewer

We are in awe of the fortitude, patience, and commitment required of the teachers of 2020. BIISC is committed to helping teachers provide place-based, environmental education experiences for the students of the Big Island. Whether you are in the classroom, trying to manage a “hybrid” model, or negotiating multiple platforms to bring your students the most engaging online learning experiences possible, we want to support you!  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, News, Slider

Celebrating Ohi’a

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Franny Brewer

Believe it or not, 2020 has brought a little bit of good news for our native ohi’a! For the first time, researchers have shown that native ʻōhiʻa seedlings can survive for at least a year in areas that have active mortality from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Researchers from USGS planted young trees in areas where mature trees had been heavily damaged by ROD, and at the end of the year, found that the saplings were still healthy and strong. They are continuing to monitor the plots, but this new information supports previous scientific observations that keiki ohi’a are able to sprout and thrive in ROD-impacted areas if they are not overwhelmed by invasive plants.

Plant an Ohi’a!

ohi'a mamo (yellow blossoms)It’s a great time to purchase and plant young ohi’a that you can enjoy for years to come! Be careful to plant your ohi’a where it will be protected from damage by yard equipment, away from any utility lines, and in areas absent roaming goats or cattle (which can cause bark damage that allows the fungus to enter the tree). Download our Plant Pono Ohi’a_Buyers Guide_2020 to learn where you can get your own ohi’a, or gift one to a special member of your ohana!

Ohi’a Love Fest 2020 & Rapid Ohi’a Death

In November 2020, BIISC was proud to be a partner in the Ohi’a Love Fest, an annual event that this year was held entirely online for the first time. We presented a new short video showing life behind-the-scenes with our Rapid Ohi’a Death early detection & response team. The team joined us after the showing for a live Q&A session online. Learn more about our work with ROD here.

You can view recordings of the many other great OLF workshops and sessions on the ROD Facebook page or when videos are made available on the ROD website.

 

Filed Under: Education, News, Slider

The benefits of a re-usable Christmas tree in Hawaii

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Franny Brewer

Over the last few decades, as artificial trees have improved in quality and appearance, Americans have begun moving away from fresh cut trees and investing in reusables for their holiday celebrations. Now, nearly 80% of American households that celebrate with a Christmas tree choose an artificial one. It’s not an entirely modern phenomena of course: Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the US famous for his concern for the country’s environment, was so outraged by the wanton slaughter of trees that he banned his family from engaging in the destructive behavior of cutting a tree only to watch it slowly die inside the house! Today, people are more conscious of the impacts of waste and deforestation, and the carbon costs of transporting goods over long distances.  For many households, an artificial tree makes sense. 

In Hawaii, there are additional concerns with Christmas trees sent from the mainland. Importing live plants to Hawaii is considered the highest risk pathway for invasive species introductions. Pests, like the semi slug, little fire ants, and coqui frogs, all hitched rides on live plants. Although newer protocols on Christmas tree imports have reduced the number of pests introductions resulting from this particular pathway, there is still always some risk. 

Not sure if an artificial tree is right for you?  Consider these benefits!

  • There is no need to sweep every day! No pine needles, no sap, no spilled water – artificial trees are easy to care for. 
  • Green that lasts the whole holiday season! No drooping or brown needles.
  • No “bad” side to turn to the wall: you will have a beautiful tree from every angle. 
  • Set-up and storage are a breeze. Artificial trees are made to stand straight, and it’s unlikely the tree will have fallen over while you’re out at the store. 
  • They are hypoallergenic! Children with asthma or allergies can have reactions to the heavy fragrance or mold spores that can be in live trees.  The E.R. is no place to spend the holidays! 
  • Safety: No dry tinder box of a tree and less of a chance to catch fire. 
  • You will save money over time. Artificial trees typically last ten years. A cut tree in Hawaii can cost anywhere from $50 to more than $100.  On average, an artificial tree is around $250 – it pays for itself in just a few years.
  • Missing that fragrant pine scent?  That can be resolved too: buy some pine-scented candles. Picking up a scented candle after Thanksgiving can be a new tradition! 

Holiday traditions vary by family, culture, and geographic location. One thing remains constant:  traditions are learned and passed on through generations. Some traditions stay the same, some are forgotten, and some are tweaked to suit changing needs or values. As an island state, we approach many things differently in Hawaii than on the mainland – including the winter holidays! Although the cut tree may be a familiar and treasured tradition for many, in light of the risk and costs of importing live plants, perhaps the time has come to create new traditions that protect Hawai’i and Mother Earth. 

And if you still must have a live tree, we implore you: please buy local!

Filed Under: News

Choose an ʻĀina-friendly tree for the holidays

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Franny Brewer

Fresh cut pine trees from the mainland are a popular choice for holidays, even here in tropical Hawai’i – but imported live trees pose a serious risk to our islands. In past years (and even in 2020), snakes, wasps, and slugs have been  found in shipments of Christmas trees and other foliage used for holiday decorating.  A 2015 USDA study found that importation of live plant materials is the highest risk pathway for introduction of new pests and diseases to Hawaii. Pests that have come in recently, such as little fire ant, coqui frog, semi-slug, and more, were all introduced accidentally on imported plant material.

But, that could be good news for local folks who want to get into the Christmas tree-growing business. According to Hawaii-grown Christmas Tree Market Potential, a study funded by the DLNR and the US Forest Service, “In 2012 it was estimated that the total number of Christmas Trees sold in Hawai‘i was in excess of 190,000. Of these, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture estimates that 183,000 Christmas trees (96%) were imported.”

Dr. Sam Ohu Gon of The Nature Conservancy explains in the video below:

We don’t have to put our islands at risk to celebrate the holidays! There are sustainable alternatives here on the Big Island. Local tree growers sell out quickly due to high demand, but consider a “tropical tree” to make your Hawaiian holidays special. Our local nurseries can suggest many great possibilities for you and your family to enjoy.

1. Buy an island-grown tree from a local tree farm. (Know of additional growers?  Please contact us so we can add them to the list!)

 

 

 

North Hilo/Hamakua

Hamakua Christmas Tree Forest
32 Piha-Kahuku Road, Ninole 305-609-6949

 

 

Kailua-Kona
(near Donkey Mill Art Center)
(808) 324-4609, call for directions
Norfolk Pines

South Hilo/Puna

Hooluana Tree Farm

(SOLD OUT)
N. Peck Rd., Mt. View
(808) 333-0676
Leyland Cypress Trees

Gnome’s Grove
Selling Norfolk pines at craft fairs and through the East Hawaii Farm-to-Car program.  Email for info about upcoming locations of sales: gnomesgrove@gmail.com.

 

2. Call your local nursery and ask for locally grown alternatives.

Norfolk, Cook, and Monterey pines are all grown on the island, and can even be purchased in a pot to be used year after year before finally planting in your backyard.  Araucarias, a “tropical” pine,  grow well below 4000 feet. Cypress are a great substitute for pines, and won’t drop tons of needles!  There are many options available that won’t contribute to the importation of live plants.

3. Purchase an artificial tree

Artificial trees that can be used year after year, saving money for you while keeping the islands safe from invading pests. Learn more about the benefits of artificial trees. 

Have some land and a love of plants?  Consider growing Christmas Trees!

Are you a farmer or rancher looking to diversify a bit of your property and tap into a growing market with high demand? Our local tree growers sell out every season, and with this product, your customers will be all smiles! Check out this market analysis from DLNR on growing Christmas trees, and learn more about the research on tree species and growing from the Aina Mauna project at the Hawaii Forest Industry Association and the update from Dec 2019.

Let’s support local businesses and keep the holidays pest-free for Hawai’i!

 

Filed Under: News

I Spy: A Rabbit

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Jade Miyashiro

While they are cute and cuddly, rabbits can also be a pest. In other places of the world, rabbits are notorious for their destruction of gardens, ranches, farms, and native habitats. Allowing rabbits to create a stable wild population can quickly escalate into a wide range of problems for Hawaii.

When rabbits were first introduced to Australia in the 1850s, they quickly spread across the entire continent. The first introduction started with only 13 rabbits, but today Australia has a population of over 200 million rabbits. They were the cause of the extinction of many ground dwelling mammals and plants in Australia. Besides just destroying crops, rabbits ring trees and eat any seedlings trying to sprout, causing loss of vegetation and soil erosion.

While rabbits make cute pets, they become a huge nuisance when they are released into the wild. Since 2016, more and more rabbits are being sighted on Hawaii island  – and we’re asking all of our residents to keep an eye out and report loose rabbit sightings.

It is not illegal to keep a pet rabbit in Hawaii as long as it is done properly. By law, rabbits must be kept in a hutch raised above the ground. They are great escape artists so keeping them fenced in on the ground is not good enough. Failure to keep pet rabbits in a secure raised hutch can lead to a fine. If you no longer want your pet rabbit, do not release it: your local animal shelter will accept and rehome pet rabbits.

How to Keep Your Rabbit

Loose rabbit in Puna

Female rabbits can start reproducing at 3 months old and can have six litters a year with up to 8 kits (baby rabbits) per litter. That’s a lot of rabbits. It’s easy to see how the population can get out of control very quickly. Rabbits aren’t native to Hawaii and can add further pressure to our already threatened ecosystems along with becoming an agricultural pest.

Download an informational rack card on keeping rabbits.

Keep your rabbits contained properly and alert us to any loose rabbit sightings!! 

Contact BIISC at biisc@hawaii.edu or (808) 933-3340 to report a loose rabbit. (Be as precise as possible with location, please!) On other islands, report loose rabbits to 643pest.org.

Filed Under: News, Slider

October is Stop the Ant month in Hawaii!

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Jade Miyashiro

Big Island residents should check for ants 2-4x per year

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: LFA, little fire ants

Successful eradication of pampas grass on the Big Island

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Franny Brewer

BIISC is happy to share some good news: one of the most notorious invasive grasses in Hawaii, pampas grass, has been eradicated from the Big Island! Both species of pampas grass known to occur in Hawaii, Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia selloana, have been removed, and monitoring continues for any keiki that might appear at the sites of previous known locations. 

Both species of pampas are on the state’s Noxious Weeds list. The South American plant was shipped around the world in the late 1800s, popular for the showy plumes used in fashion and decor. It grows in large clumps, with feathery white or lavender plumes growing up to 10 feet tall.  As people planted it across the Pacific, it slowly began jumping from planting sites and spreading out into natural areas, disrupting native ecosystems in places like New Zealand, California, and here in Hawaii. It is now widespread on Maui, and because it is adapted to fire in its native range poses a significant threat as a fuel for wildfires.

Eradication Efforts on the Big Island

When the Hawaii Island eradication effort began in 2007, the plant was mapped in over two dozen locations including several places in Volcano and on the West side of the island.  Although most of the adult plants were removed early in the eradication timeline, Joel Brunger, our field operations supervisor, points out the challenges of surveying for other pampas grass clumps near an adult plant: each grass clump is capable of producing thousands of lightweight seeds which are carried by the wind as far as 20 miles from the parent plant!

BIISC relied heavily on reports from the public about potential pampas sightings, carefully tracking down and identifying each plant to locate any previously undiscovered populations. Removal of the plants by BIISC crews took time, as permission from property owners was required for most of the sites. Locating and contacting property owners can pose a significant challenge for our control efforts, but overall most people were cooperative and eager to support the removal of an invasive plant from their property. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture assisted with securing access for removal of the noxious weed where permission was difficult to obtain. Finally, in 2019, the last known population of pampas was removed, and native mamaki was planted in its stead.  BIISC botanists continue to monitor the area to catch any keiki plants that may spring up.  

BIISC crew spraying pampas
Extensive protection is required to avoid the razor sharp leaves.
invasive pampas grass
Like most grasses, the entire clump must be removed, down to the root.
invasive pampas grass
The showy plumes made the grass popular for decor.
pampas grass removal
BIISC staff controlling pampas grass.
invasive pampas grass
Pampas grass removal.
invasive pampas grass
Pampas grass in a noxious weed. (Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr)
invasive pampas grass
Pampas grass, a noxious horticultural weed (Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr)
Lemon grass
Lemon grass looks similar to Pampas grass. (Photo credit: Forest and Kim Starr)
Sugar cane
Sugar cane looks similar to pampas, but has a much smaller plume. (Photo credit: Forest & Kim Starr)

An Ongoing Risk

Despite the razor sharp leaves and potential for fueling wildfires, pampas grass is still sold throughout the world in the horticultural trade and used for landscaping. During the course of the eradication effort, BIISC developed the Plant Pono program, a nursery endorsement and education effort aimed at stopping the sale of invasive plants in Hawaii. Pono-endorsed nurseries voluntarily pledge to sell only non-invasive “pono” plants. There have been no sales of pampas grass in Hawaii for the last several years, although seeds purchased online continue to be a risk for introductions of invasive plants. 

If you spot an online seller promoting pampas grass and allowing shipment to Hawaii, pass the info along to us! Often, just informing a well-meaning grower outside of our state about the potential risks is enough for them to stop any shipment of the plant to the islands.

Graph showing how costs increase over time as a species spreads. BIISC takes the lead on early detection and rapid response to new invasive plant species, which means our teams search for new species of plants on the island and target them for eradication when necessary and possible. Efforts to control many of our most notorious widespread invaders like miconia, albizia, or strawberry guava came too late, well past the time when it was economically possible to remove those species from the island. There is only a short window of time when an invasive species can feasibly be eradicated. Once that window has closed, control strategies switch to other efforts, like containment, or at the furthest point, exclusion only from high value areas.

Currently, BIISC is targeting several invasive plant species assessed to be within the “window of eradication.” These species are not yet widespread, and BIISC crews are working to remove them now so that they will not become the albizia or miconia of the future. Visit our target species page to become familiar with our target species, and be sure to report any new or strange plants you encounter!

Filed Under: News, Slider

Alert: New Lacewing Pest

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Jade Miyashiro

Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture has announced a new pest called the Banana Lacewing Bug (Stephanitis typica). This pest has a variety of hosts, not just banana. As of June 2020 this lacewing has only been found on Oahu. Please report any new sightings to Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture Plant Pest Control.

Hosts

  • African Oil Palm (Elaeis quineensis)
  • Bananas (Musa spp.)
  • Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)
  • Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
  • Champedak (Artocarpus integer)
  • Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
  • Colocasia sp.
  • Edible Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
  • Flowers (Alpinia spp.)
  • Heliconia spp.
  • Plantain (Musa x paradisiaca)
  • Soursop (Annona muricata)
  • Tumeric (Curcuma longa)

 

HDOA Pest alert for lacewing bug

HDOA Pest alert for lacewing bug

 

 

Filed Under: News

Two-lined Spittlebug Spreading Quickly

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Franny Brewer

Adult two-lined spittle bug. Both adult and nymph forms feed on plants by sucking out nutrients.

Researchers are asking for the public’s assistance in preventing the spread of an invasive insect destroying grasses in West Hawaii. The Two-Lined Spittle Bug (TLSB) was discovered in Kona late 2016, when a rancher in upper-elevation Hualalai first reported widespread die-off of pastures. Initial surveys found nearly 2000 acres were already affected. If you see the insect or suspect TLSB damage, please report to 643pest.org.

NEW MAP: SUMMER 2020 SURVEYSmap of TLSB spread as of 2020

A threat to our food security and Big Island economy

Surveys in the summer of 2020 have revealed that TLSB is now impacting more than 175,000 acres of rangeland from South Kona to Pu’u Wa’awa’a near Pu’uanahulu. The TLSB is consuming Big Island pasture at a rate of about 35,000 acres per year. Spittle bugs feed by sucking nutrients and fluids from the plant stem, weakening and potentially killing the grass. Although Hawaii already has introduced spittle bugs present, none have had such severe impacts. Like many invasive pests that arrive in Hawaii, the new bug, a native of the southeastern US, was likely brought in accidentally on imported plant materials. Now, it is attacking kikuyu and pangola grasses: critical forage that support nearly 70% of Hawaii’s beef cattle industry.

To make matters worse, grasses in open lands prevent difficult and impactful weeds from moving in. Where TLSB has killed off the grass, invasive plant pests like pamakani, fireweed, and wild blackberry, long battled by ranchers and farmers, have begun to take over. The loss of grass and surge of weeds have been devastating to upper elevation pastures in Kona, which have not recovered from the damage.

Researchers are extremely worried that the spittle bug could be transported to the iconic pastures of Kohala and Hamakua. Kikuyu grass is the primary forage in many of these places, and a TLSB introduction could devastate the cattle industry and significantly change the character of the landscape.

Threat to watersheds and forests

These new invading weeds also threaten native restoration efforts, which seek to return grass back to native forest. Brushy species prevent establishment of native seedlings, and are exponentially more expensive to control than grass. Increased propagule generation from thousands more acres of invasive weeds increases the effort needed to keep weeds out of intact or restored native forests.

What to do

Big Island residents are being asked to be alert about their lawns and pastures – patches of dead grass that cannot be explained by other environmental factors should be reported right away. As always, it is best practice on Hawaii Island to avoid movement of potted plants or live plant materials into new areas. Fire ants, ROD fungus, coqui eggs, and many other pests have traveled quickly and spread, on- and off-island, through this route. The spittle bug, very tiny in its nymph form, can easily attach to a plant stem without notice. Those who may visit Kona pastures or other areas impacted by TLSB– like hunters or ranch workers – should carefully clean their vehicles and equipment of any mud by washing out wheel wells and tires before traveling to other districts on the island.

Be familiar with the insect and if you see one, trap it and report it to 643pest.org. Early detection is critical in containing the spread of this pest!

Research and outreach efforts are being led by Mark Thorne, Range & Livestock Management specialist for the University of Hawaii extension service (CTAHR), thornem@hawaii.edu or 808-887-6183, and Carolyn Wong, USDA NRCS Grazing Land Management specialist, at Carolyn.wong@hi.usda.gov or 808-885-6602 (ext 105). If you are a rancher impacted by TLSB, please contact them for assistance. More resources can be found on the Hawaii Rangelands page.

Life stages of the two-lined spittlebug (Photo: Shannon Wilson, CTAHR)
Spittle masses are found on the plant stem, often at the soil line. (Photo: Shannon Wilson, CTAHR)
Nymphs are found at or slightly below the soil line.
Nymphs secrete a "bubble" substance to keep them moist as they develop.
Newly emerged adult TLSB
CTAHR research team surveying Kona pastures for TLSB.
When pasture grasses die, the area is filled in with invasive brush like this blackberry.
Pasture is replaced with invasive weeds that do not support cattle.
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Download CTAHR Alert Nov 2018: CTAHR bulletin

Download CTAHR Alert Mar 2017: Spittle Bug Alert March 2017 ver 5. (Final)

Filed Under: News, Slider Tagged With: hawaii agriculture, hawaii ranching, spittlebug, TLSB

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