Big Island Alert: Department of Agriculture Plans to Introduce New Insect Species to Big Island Forests
by Danya Nelson
(Puna)
Affected Guava
ALOHA!! Big Island Alert!!!
I just found out that the Department of Agriculture has a plan to introduce an alien insect species to implement eradication of strawberry Guava trees.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS MAY 23.
U.S. Forestry agents plan to introduce a tiny, plant sucking insect from Brazil, into Native Forests on the Big Island this Summer.
Later they plan to introduce this new species of insect to all the Hawaiian Islands. This bug supposedly targets only Strawberry Guava trees, and forms galls on their leaves, and slows fruit production.
I know that the Strawberry Guava is pretty invasive, and I've lived in a "waiwi" forest that was thick, but I love to eat their fruit which is high in vitamin C.
This plan will affect the forest and all it's inhabitants. When you introduce a new species to a habitat, the whole habitat is affected, not just one tree!
First of all I want to find out more about this insect that causes galls on the leaves and reduces the plant's fruit production.
Next what will the lack of guava fruit have on our wild pigs, our birds, and our native forests.
It's hard to believe it would only attack the strawberry guava, and not the many other guava species we have, or even native trees.
Below are excerpts from the environmental assessment draft:
Field release of Tectococcus ovatus (Homoptera: Eriococcidae)
for biological control of strawberry guava,
Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae), in Hawai段
Draft Environmental Assessment
March 2008
Proposed Action: The USDA Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry proposes field release in Hawai段 of Tectococcus ovatus Hempel (Homoptera: Eriococcidae) for classical biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae), under permits from the Hawai段 Department of Agriculture, Hawai段 Department of Land and Natural Resources, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Type of statement: Draft Environmental Assessment
For further information:
M. Tracy Johnson, Ph.D.
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
P.O. Box 236
Volcano, Hawaii 96785
tel: 808-967-7122
fax: 808-933-8120
email: tracyjohnson@fs.fed.us
Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, in collaboration with the Hawai段 Department of Agriculture and Hawai段 Department of Land and Natural Resources, proposes the environmental release in Hawai段 of a scale insect from Brazil, Tectococcus ovatus Hempel (Homoptera: Eriococcidae), for classical biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae).
Tectococcus ovatus is a highly specific insect that produces leaf galls on strawberry guava in its native range in Brazil. The purpose of establishing this insect species in Hawai段 is to reduce growth and reproduction of strawberry guava, thereby limiting this weed痴 ability to invade native forests and reducing an important source of agricultural pest fruit flies.
Initial release of the biocontrol agent is proposed for the Ola誕 Forest Reserve on the island of Hawai段, however the eventual impact of this agent is expected to extend statewide following redistribution of the agent by state and federal agencies.
Conditions for environmental release of Tectococcus ovatus in Hawai段 have been established by the Hawai段 Department of Agriculture following review and approval by the Hawai段 Board of Agriculture in consultation with the Advisory Subcommittee on Entomology and Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals.
The proposed action requires Plant Protection and Quarantine permits from the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); a permit for import and liberation of restricted organisms from the Hawai段 Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch; and a special use permit from the Hawai段 Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Spread of the insect from the initial release site will occur naturally via wind dispersal and artificially via redistribution efforts by state and federal agencies involved in strawberry guava management.
Tectococcus ovatus is expected to cause reduced vegetative growth and reduced fruit and seed production, decreasing the spread of strawberry guava over a period of years.
Impacts of Tectococcus ovatus on strawberry guava are expected to have major economic benefits including improved control of pest fruit flies, increased effectiveness of mechanical and herbicidal control, and long-term protection of vulnerable native forest ecosystems from one of their most serious threats.
Impacts on native Hawaiian species, including many endangered rainforest species, are expected to be highly beneficial due to significant reduction in the threat of strawberry guava to native forests in Hawai段.
Proposed site for initial release of Tectococcus ovatus is in the Ola誕 Forest Reserve on the island of Hawai段 (TMK 3-1-9-001-004), however the eventual impact of this agent is expected to extend statewide.
Redistribution of the agent to additional sites on Hawai段 and other islands will be conducted by state and federal agencies with responsibilities for managing strawberry guava.
email comments to tracyjohnson@fs.fed.us
with a copy to oeqc@doh.hawaii.gov and
savetheguava@gmail.com
call the USDA FS at(808)967-7122
for more info. contact SAVE THE GUAVA at (808)935-5563
or check out this article
http://hunterbishop.com/journal/2008/5/16/weed-biocontrol-plan-unconvincing.html?lastPage=true&postSubmitted=true
For the Full Environmental Draft click here
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS MAY 23.
