Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

Get your locally grown Christmas tree!

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Fresh cut pine trees from the mainland are a popular choice for holidays, even here in tropical Hawai’i.  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.”

But Christmas trees imported from the mainland could harbor Hawaii’s next invasive pest! In past years, 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.

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

There are sustainable alternatives here on the Big Island!

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!)

 

 

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

Hooluana Tree Farm
N. Peck Rd., Mt. View
(808) 333-0676
Leyland Cypress Trees

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

The Hawaii Forest Institute is working on a demonstration project to test species of non-invasive trees that fit our “holiday expectations,” yet can grow happily right here on Hawaii Island.  Check out their work!

2. Call your local nursery and ask if they are selling trees. 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 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. 

 

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

 

Queensland Longhorn Beetle

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October 2019: live specimens are still being collected!  If you have a possible QLB, please drop it off at 23 E. Kawili St.in Hilo. If you find a QLB but are not able to catch it alive, please take a picture to send to us, then squish it or freeze it to prevent it from reproducing.

Update from Hawaii Department of Agriculture Hilo Branch, August, 2019: 

Confirmed host plants:

  • Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus)
  • Breadfruit (Artocarpus altillis)
  • Various citrus (Citrus spp.)
  • Queen Sago (Cycas cirinalis)
  • Cacao (Theobroma cacao)
  • Mulberry (Morus sp.)
  • Trumpet tree (Cercropia obtusifolia)
  • Norfolk pine cut logs (Araucaria heterophylla)
  • Avocado cut logs (Persea americana)

Unverified, but possible host plants:

  • Gunpowder tree (Trema orientalis)
  • Kalamungay (Moringa oleifera)
  • Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)

USDA-ARS is still collecting live beetles!  If you capture a beetle please bring it to our offices or contact us to arrange pick-up. Need a specimen holder?  Come pick up a jar or container at our office for free any day during the week!

March 2018: An invasive beetle is attacking cacao, citrus, breadfruit, and kukui on the east side of the Big Island. The beetle, Acalolepta aesthetica, is believed to have been accidentally introduced through imported commodities from the Queensland region of Australia. Beetles in this family, the Cerambycids, are wood-borers and are known to burrow into wooden packing materials. Acalolepta aesthetica is related to the Asian longhorn beetle, infamous for devastating forests in North America with estimated costs for control more than $600 million since the 1990s.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service lab in Hilo is currently asking for live specimens of beetles for research. Dr. Sheina Sims and her team are looking to map the beetleʻs genetics, an important tool in early detection when beetles are found in the difficult to identify larval stage. Additionally, working with BIISC and the East Hawaii Cacao Association, the ARS team will be launching a trapping study to determine if there are pheromones or other attractant traps that could be used to find and monitor beetle populations.

This longhorn beetle from the Queensland area of Australia appears to have first arrived in Hawaii about a decade ago. The first sample was turned in from the Orchidland area in 2009, but for several years after, there were no reports.  However, in 2013, HDOA received 3 more submissions, with a handful of beetles appearing each subsequent year.  By 2017, it appeared the beetles had begun to spread, with specimens collected in Hawaiian Acres, Kea’au, and Kurtistown.  In summer of 2018, specimens were captured in Pahoa and Hilo, indicating the beetle may be expanding its territory.

Adult beetles will feed on the bark, branches, and leaves of preferred plants, but the real damage is caused by the larvae. The females lay eggs in wood, usually in stressed, dying, or weakened trees. The emerging larvae will tunnel through the tree’s vascular system, creating tunnels that weaken the wood and interrupt the plant’s ability to transport nutrients and water.  In one case in Puna, an infested Sago palm became so weak it collapsed under its own weight.

In addition to cacao, citrus, kukui, and Sago palms, A. aesthetica may potentially attack other hardwoods present in Hawaii,  from important crop trees to native forest species.

There is no known treatment for an infestation of A. aesthetica.  Adult beetles appear to be attracted to light at night, where they can be collected. HDOA advises that routine IPM insecticidal applications may deter adult beetles from selected areas; however, research is needed to determine how to address beetle infestation. The best strategy is prevention: be very cautious in moving potential host plant species from the infected area between Kea’au and Pahoa. Trees infested with the larvae should be destroyed.

Contact BIISC with a photo via email at biisc@hawaii.edu or on Facebook to report any beetle sightings. Beetles can be also dropped off at our office at 23 E. Kawili St.

August 10, 2018 Pest Release by HDOA:

Australian Longhorn Beetle Pest Advisory

Australian Longhorn Beetle Quick Pest Fact Sheet

Māmalu Poepoe: sphere of protection

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Each year, over a million flights are landing in Hawaiʻi or taking off to other destinations.  As global movement of people and goods to Hawaiʻi increases, so do the chances of an alien species hitching a ride to our beautiful islands. According to the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), an average of 20 new insects become established in our islands annually, half of which are known pests elsewhere in the world. These pests have the potential to cause grave harm to Hawaiʻi’s natural environment, economy, human health, and way of life. The Māmalu Poepoe Project, administered by the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, brings multiple agencies together to enhance monitoring of airport facilities statewide. Māmalu Poepoe, which means the sphere of protection, aims to increase surveillance of select high priority pest species that are known to be traveling around the world that are at risk for accidental delivery to Hawaii.

As one of the participating agencies in Māmalu Poepoe, BIISC monitors detection stations  for Africanized honey bees and coconut rhinoceros beetles at the Hilo and Kona airports. Both of these species, if introduced, pose significant threats to Hawaiʻi Island.

Africanized Bees

Africanized honey bees (AHB), commonly referred to as killer bees, are a major threat to human health and safety. Although AHB look the same as domestic honey bees, they are extremely aggressive when it comes to defending their hive. These bees attack in large groups and have been known to pursue their target for over two miles! Africanized bees are adapted to warm, tropical climates, with populations already established in the southern U.S and California. AHB swarm much more frequently than European honey bees, which increase the chances of accidental introduction to Hawaiʻi. AHB are also poor honey producers, which would directly affect local beekeepers.

AHB have already reached Hawaii’s shores in recent years: in 2011, harbor employees in Honolulu noticed a swarm of bees in a container of medical supplies shipped from Long Beach, California. They closed the container and contacted the Department of Agriculture, who fumigated the container and sent the bees off for genetic testing. They turned out to be Africanized bees. If AHB successfully establish populations in Hawaiʻi, it will devastate the agricultural industry. Hawaiʻi’s beekeeping industry is valued at $230 million a year and also functions as the backbone for mainland U.S. pollination, which is valued at $15 billion per year. Hawaiʻi is home to the most prolific queen bee producers in the world, providing 25% of mainland U.S. queens and 75% of Canada’s queens. Increased monitoring efforts are vital given the number of imported goods that arrive in Hawaiʻi every day. Our early detection crew monitors swarm traps set up at Hilo and Kona airports on a monthly basis in an effort to intercept AHB and prevent populations from establishing in the islands.

 

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) is an invasive insect currently found only on Oʻahu. CRB was detected at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam military facility in December of 2013. This beetle is native to the Asian tropics but has been accidentally introduced to western and central Pacific islands.  CRB is considered a major pest of the coconut tree; however it can also be found attacking betelnut, Pandanus species, banana, pineapple, and sugarcane. The beetle attacks coconut palms by boring into the center of the tree crown and feeding on the sap, which damages the young growing tissue. The damage can significantly reduce coconut production and kill the tree. In other areas of the Pacific such as Palau, coconut palms were eradicated entirely on certain islands because of CRB damage.

The coconut rhino beetle poses a significant threat to our only native and endangered tree palms, also known as Loulu (Pritchardia spp.). In addition to environmental impacts if beetle populations are largely established, Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry would also be impacted. Coconut palms are economically important as they are frequently used in landscaping and they also have significant cultural importance. One way to tell if a tree has CRB damage is to look for V-shaped cuts in the palm fronds. Another way to determine CRB damage is if large boreholes are present at the bottom of palm fronds. Our Early Detection team monitors CRB panel traps at both Hilo and Kona airports on a monthly basis in order to intercept and eradicate the beetle if introduced to Hawaiʻi Island.

If you suspect the presence of Africanized honeybees or Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles in your area, please report it! Report particularly aggressive hives, feral or managed, to Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture’s Hawaiʻi Apiary Program at (808) 974-4138. Report suspected CRB damage to BIISC at (808)933-3340 or e-mail biisc@hawaii.edu.

 

Invasive Ants

Ants have been particularly successful at spreading around the globe. One major reason is because these tiny creatures hitchhike on our stuff. Ants are not native to Hawaiʻi, however there are roughly 57 ant species that have become established in the islands. Troublesome ant species, such as little fire ants or big-headed ants, negatively impact our environment, economy, and way of life. There is a lack of predators in Hawaiʻi to keep ants in check, which allows the potential for populations to reach very high densities. Many of our native ground nesting seabirds, for example, are significantly impacted by invasive ants. Yellow crazy ants spray formic acid on a bird’s eyes, bill, and feet causing blindness, malformities, difficulty breathing, and loss of webbing on feet. Little fire ants have infested agricultural fields and farms on Hawaiʻi island where they are damaging crops and stinging workers. Residents and tourists alike continue to get stung at public beaches and parks.

The Māmalu Poepoe project aims to increase surveillance to address the potential introduction and establishment of an even worse ant species, the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Red-imported fire ants (RIFA) are not currently present in Hawaiʻi but have been infesting countries around the world at a rapid rate, making them a high priority species to be on the lookout for. These mound building ants deliver painful stings to humans that produce a range of reactions from localized pain and swelling to anaphylaxis. RIFA are considered a major pest worldwide and are well established in the southeastern US. The Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, another project of the University of Hawaii, assists with regular ant surveys at major airport facilities throughout the islands. If this ant species is introduced and detected early, ant populations can be eradicated in a timely, cost effective manner. 

The Hawaii Ant Lab regularly monitors airports and harbors on the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui for new invasive ants. If you find a strange ant in your yard, report it to BIISC or contact 643-PEST.

 

Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases

Mosquitoes, notorious for delivering irritating, itchy bites, are a widespread nuisance to humans. These pesky insects arrived in Hawaiʻi on foreign ships by way of infested drinking water barrels back in the 1800ʻs. The Culex mosquito, introduced in 1826, became the vector that spread avian pox and malaria to our Hawaiian forest birds. Today, our remaining forest birds exist mostly in high-elevation refuges where mosquitoes are unable to breed.

Currently, there are 6 species of biting mosquitoes that are established in Hawaiʻi. Mosquitoes pose significant threats to human health as vectors for diseases such as Dengue Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya. The Māmalu Poepoe project focuses on enhancing airport monitoring for existing and new species of mosquitoes known to vector these potentially deadly diseases. The yellow fever mosquito, currently present on Hawaiʻi Island, (Aedes aegypti) is a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. The Department of Health monitors airports across the state for potential introductions of the yellow fever mosquito or other new mosquito species.

ALERT: New Pest Killing Pastures in West Hawaii

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

Feb 2019: 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.

By 2018, further surveys revealed that the insect had impacted 125,000 acres of rangeland from Makalei to Keokea. 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.

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. If you see or suspect TLSB, reach out immediately to Mark Thorne, Range & Livestock Management specialist for the University of Hawaii extension service (CTAHR), thornem@hawaii.edu or 808-887-6183, and/or Carolyn Wong, USDA NRCS Grazing Land Management specialist, at Carolyn.wong@hi.usda.gov or 808-885-6602 (ext 105). Early detection is critical in containing the spread of this pest!

Download CTAHR Alert Nov 2018: CTAHR bulletin

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

BIISC is hiring!

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The Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) is hiring!  We are looking for an individual with good communication skills, some understanding of Hawaiian biota and the desire to engage in some rugged work protecting Hawaii Island from invasive species threats!

You’ll be working with a team to conduct field operations to target invasive alien species for control or eradication. Fieldwork can involve anything from reconnaissance and surveys to mechanical or chemical removal, and often you will be working in rough terrain- rain or shine – so a good attitude is a must! Fieldwork requires the ability to drive project vehicles both on and off road, work in and around helicopters, and handle pesticides as well as keeping accurate and detailed records of treatment and control work.  This is a full-time position, mostly Monday-Friday.

Previous experience working as part of a field crew and the ability to operate a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit are a plus, as is previous experience doing outreach or otherwise working with the public, especially in a conservation-oriented program.

High school diploma required, college degree preferred.  Pay is $2582/month with paid holidays, sick time, and benefits.

TO APPLY: Please go to www.rcuh.com and click on “Job Postings.” Search for job number 19027.  You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Salary History, 4) Supervisory References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872.

CLOSING DATE: January 25, 2019.

 

 

We need your help! Have you seen this plant?

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Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr

We are in the final stages of eradicating one of Hawaii’s most pervasive horticultural invaders, and are asking for your help in locating any remaining plants. Pampas grass, an aggressive invader, is considered a significant threat in Hawaii as a fuel for wildfires. In Maui, it has spread widely, growing in heavily vegetated marshes to sparse dry forests, even on the slopes of Haleakala. Two species of pampas grass occur in Hawaii, Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia selloana, and both are targeted on the state’s Noxious Weeds list.

Popular in the Victorian era for the showy plumes used in fashion and decor, the South American plant was shipped around the world in the late 1800s. In places like New Zealand, California, and Maui, pampas grass slowly became a problem as it spread far beyond its planting sites. Each clump of pampas grass is capable of producing thousands of lightweight seeds which are carried by the wind, reaching recorded distances as far as 20 miles from the parent plant.

Locations where BIISC has found pampas grass since beginning eradication efforts in 2007.

 

In 2007, BIISC undertook the effort to remove pampas grass from the Big Island. An exhaustive search over several years revealed pampas grass in over two dozen locations around the island from Volcano to Kona. Despite the razor sharp leaves, pampas grass is still sold throughout the world as an attractive plant for homeowners, and many of the plants were found on private property, including golf courses. Joel Brunger, field operations supervisor for BIISC, explains that obtaining permission is always a challenge to any eradication plan. “We don’t have the authority to enter private property to look for or remove a plant, so we have to try to find the property owners and sometimes they are off-island or out of the country,” he notes. “This process can take months to years.”

Brunger explained that when an invasive plant is found in an area, the BIISC team must do a thorough survey of the surrounding area to find additional plants. With a potential seed Pspread of up to 20 miles, pampas grass required a significant investment of time. Most homeowners, says Brunger, are cooperative and eager to support the removal of an invasive plant from their property. “After the adult plants are removed, we have to return and conduct sweeps regularly for new sprouting keiki for as long as the seeds are viable. For pampas grass, that’s six years, so we can’t say the plant is eradicated until we haven’t seen any new plants in that area for at least six years.”

BIISC is asking the public to report any sightings of pampas grass. The grass grows in large clumps as high as 13 feet, with feathery plumes ranging from white to lavender in color. Pampas grass looks similar to sugarcane, but the leaves are narrower and form a corkscrew shape, and the plume is longer and fuller than cane blooms. Residents are asked to refrain from buying or planting pampas grass, as seeds can be purchased online and have twice been found in stores since the eradication effort began. “It took us quite a while to get here,” says Brunger. “We would really hate to see all of that work undone because of one garden planting.”

Report sightings to BIISC at 933-3340 or email biisc@hawaii.edu. Individuals are encouraged to send pictures of suspect plants via email or Facebook for quick identification.

Click here to view/print our Pampas Rack Card

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isc logo