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Coffee Leaf Rust Never Sleeps

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

You may be holding a cup of it now as you read this. Warm and comforting, coffee is the fuel for many facing an early morning or a much-needed pick me up. In the United States, coffee is the most commonly consumed beverage (more than tap water!) and percolates more than $200 billion into the United States economy. Hawaiʻi is the largest producer of coffee in the country, with over 1,400 coffee farms statewide. It is the second-highest value crop, contributing nearly $150 million annually to the economy of the Aloha State. The Kona Typica variety of coffee, primarily grown in the Kona region of Hawaiʻi island is world-renowned. Maui also contributes to the Hawaiʻi coffee industry, with over 1,000 acres in active production and the second greatest number of coffee farmers in the state.

A fungus that has been spreading and threatening the global coffee industry has now arrived on our shores. Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) is the most destructive and economically devastating disease of coffee worldwide. It was first discovered in Africa in 1861 and has slowly spread throughout coffee-growing regions worldwide. In October 2020, a Haʻikū coffee farmer reported suspicious orange spots on their coffee leaves. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) soon confirmed it as Hawaiʻi’s first case of coffee leaf rust. It is now found island-wide on Maui and confirmed on Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. Kauaʻi has had no reported findings to date*.

A coffee tree infected with coffee leaf rust will display irregular-shaped, yellowish spots on the surfaces of the leaves. Underneath the leaves, there may be powdery spores, yellow to orange in color, that can be spread on the wind or by humans through footwear, vehicles, clothing and tools. Learn how to dispose of infected trees, decontaminate gear and report coffee leave rust at www.hawaii coffeeed.com. — Andrea Kawabata and HDOA photo

Coffee leaf rust spores spread quickly on the wind and can also be easily moved by humans. An infected plant will display irregular-shaped, yellowish spots on the surfaces of the leaves. Underneath the leaves, there may be powdery spores, yellow to orange in color. The fungus usually appears on the lower leaves and slowly moves up the tree. Infected leaves die and drop, which can inevitably reduce production and, in severe cases, kill the tree as it becomes unable to photosynthesize.

Maintaining healthy plants and good sanitation practices are integral in managing coffee rust. Gerry Ross, President of the Maui Coffee Association and farmer at Kūpaʻa Farms, discovered coffee leaf rust on his trees shortly after its arrival to Maui. “We are vigilant in observing all of our crops and caught coffee leaf rust on our trees early,” Ross says, “Maintaining tree health is key. We have an active pruning program to prevent the spread of the fungus and use organic fungicide sprays to manage it.”

Pruning, using fungicide sprays, and controlling weeds around the base of coffee trees are some methods of control. Still, wild coffee has also proven to be a host susceptible to this pest. Ross sees a silver lining though, “Wild coffee that dies from coffee leaf rust would reduce habitat for coffee berry borer, hopefully bringing its populations down.” The coffee berry borer is an invasive beetle that arrived to Hawaiʻi in 2010. It bores into coffee beans and can ruin entire harvests if left unchecked.

Gerry Ross, president of Maui Coffee Association and farmer at Kūpaʻa Farms, stands amongst his organic coffee trees. Maintaining coffee tree health by pruning, weeding and using fungicide sprays has helped coffee farmers like Ross keep coffee leaf rust at bay. — Ann Tuomela photo

Long-term plans are in motion to further combat coffee leaf rust. Research in Hawaiʻi is currently underway on coffee leaf rust-resistant cultivars; however, it may take some time to import, breed and multiply new coffee varieties for that superior cup of Hawaiʻi-grown joe.

Slowing the human spread of coffee leaf rust is possible through proper sanitation measures. Aut Fleming, Noxious Weed Specialist with Mauiʻs HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch, recommends decontaminating after being in areas with coffee leaf rust. “If you are visiting, working on, or touring coffee farms, make sure to decontaminate with at least 70% alcohol or a 10% bleach and water solution. If you think you have come into contact with coffee leaf rust, wash your clothing, footwear, and any other gear that may have been in contact with it. Use laundry detergent and hot water, and dry on high heat.” Fleming also encourages reporting suspect coffee leaf rust and following proper disposal procedures.

Although this new pest is daunting, people like Gerry have hope, “Farmers are resilient. We will find a way to adapt. It’s not game over.”

To learn more about coffee leaf rust and how to report it, visit this online resource created by Andrea Kawabata, Assistant Extension Agent with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/

*Update: As of July 21, 2021, coffee leaf rust has been detected on all major Hawaiian Islands.

Serena Fukushima is the Public Relations and Education Specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a graduate degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Kiaʻi Moku, Guarding the Island” is written by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to provide information on protecting the island from invasive plants and animals that threaten our islands’ environment, economy and quality of life.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on July 10, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles.

The Case of the Stinging Hitchhiker

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

In March of this year, a Lahaina couple reported a stinging but slow-moving, tiny ant- armed with a large stinger that left itchy, red welts. Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) little fire ant crew leader, Monte Tudor-Long, responded to their report, concerned that the couple had uncovered a new little fire ant infestation. MISC regularly responds to stinging ant reports from members of the public in an effort to prevent the spread of little fire ants (LFA). After samples of the stinging insects were collected and examined, Monte was shocked to find that this was not an ant at all.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee regularly responds to reports of stinging ants in order to rapidly contain and control new little fire ant populations. If you get a sting, give MISC a ring at (808) 573-MISC and learn how to test for LFA here. Photo: Maui Invasive Species Committee

Hawaiʻi has no native ants. About 60 ants have become established in our islands since humans arrived. One of the most damaging is the little fire ant, which accidentally arrived to Hawaii Island in the late 1990s, hitchhiking on imported nursery plants. LFA eventually spread to other islands, including Maui, where they were first discovered on an organic farm in 2009. In Hawaii, these invasive ants create multiple super colonies that cover the trees and the ground, quickly outcompeting other insects in the area. In homes and communities, encounters with LFA have left painful welts on humans and have blinded pets and livestock from repeated stings to their eyes.

LFA are considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species and are currently being targeted for removal in Maui County.

When Tudor-Long collected several common ants from the Lahaina report, he expected to also find LFA based on the couple’s experience and the red welts they showed him. After viewing them under a microscope, the suspect little fire ant was ruled out from being LFA because its features didn’t match up to one – in fact, its features didn’t match any ant known to be in Hawaii. Upon reaching out to experts to identify this “mystery ant,” it was revealed that it was actually a tiny wasp!

Microscopic images of a little fire ant (left) and wasp (right) show similarities in their appearance (both are armed with stingers that inflict painful stings), however, they are completely different species. If you think you have been stung by little fire ants, report it right away to www.643pest.org. Photo: Maui Invasive Species Committee

Cephalonomia gallicola is a flightless wasp that arrived in Hawai’i around 1930, hitchhiking in beetle-infested cardboard from India. It typically preys on woodboring and tobacco beetles, which make their homes in everything from shipping materials, furniture, and kitchen cupboards. Parasitic wasps like this one are known to infest sofas and other furniture, particularly second-hand furniture, for this buffet of beetles. This is also where they typically encounter and sting unsuspecting humans.

The Lahaina couple identified the primary source of stings from a recently purchased, second-hand couch- the same location Tudor-Long collected the wasp. Although different treatments are available, the couple opted to dispose of their couch and rid their home of this uninvited guest.

Although cases like this stinging, flightless parasitic wasp may not be common, it is a good example of how pests arrive in Hawaii. On average, one new species arrives in the Hawaiian Islands every three days, usually as an accidental hitchhiker. Although they may not become invasive or established in the wild, reporting unusual and different-looking species right away helps officials respond and identify new potential threats. If you see a strange new plant, insect, or animal, or get stung by a suspect ant, report it to www.643pest.org.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on June 12, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles.

Press Release: New invasive little fire ant population discovered in Huelo

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

PRESS RELEASE

Date: June 3, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: New invasive little fire ant population discovered in Huelo
Contact: Serena Fukushima, Public Relations and Educational Specialist
Maui Invasive Species Committee
PH: (808) 344-2756
Email: miscpr@hawaii.edu

In early May, the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) received a voicemail from a husband and wife describing stinging ants encountered on the property where they live in Huelo. They explained that tenants on the property doing yardwork experienced stings on their torsos by tiny ants. MISC and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture surveyed the property and positively identified little fire ants (LFA). The MISC little fire ant team thoroughly mapped the infestation and treatments have already begun. MISC is working with the landowner and tenants on determining where the source of this new little fire ant infestation came from. Despite the proximity of this site to another infestation in Huelo, these sites do not appear to be related.

“If the community continues to be our eyes and ears by reporting suspect ants, we can stop the little fire ant from becoming established on Maui,” says Adam Radford, Manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee. “reporting is critical to finding these invasive ant populations and eliminating them, so getting into the habit of contacting MISC when you get stung by a suspect ant is a great way to protect our island from these invasive species. If you get a sting, give us a ring!”

Community efforts have led to the detection of 12 of 18 known infestations of little fire ants on Maui. Once detected, each infestation is treated for approximately one year, then monitored. There are only six sites, including this one, where little ants are still present and under active control.

On Maui, funding from the County of Maui and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supports little fire ant control efforts. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture inspects incoming plant material for invasive pests, preventing additional infestations, and assists MISC with survey and control efforts.

Little fire ants have become widespread on Hawaii Island. Animals often leave the areas where ants are established, as do hikers, farmers, and hunters. When little fire ants invade yards and homes, pets can be blinded, and residents choose to move.

Community efforts are essential to keeping invasive ants from becoming widespread. MISC recommends collecting ants in your yard for identification at least once per year, and every time new materials such as mulch or nursery plants are purchased. It only takes a few minutes to test for LFA:

Smear a tiny bit of peanut butter (or mayonnaise if peanut allergies are a concern) on several thin strips of cardboard, and place them in shady places in your yard. After 45 minutes, collect the samples with ants, place them in a plastic bag labeled with your name, address, and contact information, and freeze for 24 hours to kill the ants. Mail them to your local Invasive Species Committee. On Maui, please send them to MISC, P.O. Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768.

Visit stoptheant.org to find out more information on collecting ant samples and the status of LFA on Maui and throughout the state. Contact MISC with concerns, questions, or reports at 808-573-6472 or miscants@hawaii.edu. Reports can also be submitted through 643PEST.org.

Protecting Māmaki From Invasive Species

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

The Kamehameha butterfly, the state insect of Hawaiʻi, is found nowhere else in the world and neither is the plant that feeds and supports the caterpillars as they develop into adults. Māmaki is the main host for this native butterfly, and supports other rare forest inhabitants such as the udea moth, happy-faced spider, and various species of Hawaiian tree snails. Māmaki is also an important food source for the endangered ʻalalā (Hawaiian crow).

A member of the nettle family (Urticaceae), māmaki lacks the stinging hairs of its continental cousins. Māmaki tea is revered as a general health tonic and has become a popular local product. Traditionally, Hawaiians have many uses for māmaki. The wood is used to make clubs and kapa beaters (iʻe kuku), and the inner bark is beaten to make a fine quality kapa. The fruits, seeds, leaves, and bark are used medicinally during pregnancy, for healing sores and wounds, as a mild laxative, and more.

Māmaki is important to a variety of native species such as the udea moth, happy-faced spider, Hawaiian tree snails, ʻalalā (Hawaiian crow), and Hawai’i’s state insect, the Kamehameha butterfly. Humans also use it for cultural, medicinal, and commercial purposes. Photo by Rick Barboza.

Māmakiʻs importance to native animals and Hawaiian culture is undeniable, so when a host of invasive species targeting it began to appear, conservationists, cultural practitioners, and community members sounded the alarm. You can help. Here are three invasive species that are threatening māmaki:

Ramie Moth
Originally discovered in 2018 in Olowalu Valley, the ramie moth’s presence on Maui (and now Hawaiʻi Island) represent the first record of this species in the United States. The larvae can grow up to ten centimeters in length are a vibrant yellow and black with bright orange-red spots, a black head, and thin white hairs. They may be seen feeding on a māmaki plant next to the larvae of the native Kamehameha butterfly, which do not have bright red spots on their side and possess thick, short spines on their bodies as opposed to the thin, long white hair of ramie moth larvae. Unlike the Kamehameha butterfly larvae, ramie moth larvae are aggressive, and if threatened, will rear up their head, thrash around, and even hiss and spit. If left unmanaged, ramie moth larvae will completely strip māmaki leaves, leaving only the thick veins of the plant behind. Ramie moths and their larvae have been observed in forests, residential areas, and are now being observed in commercial māmaki farms.

Māmaki Rust
Māmaki rust (Pucciniastrum boehmeriae) was first discovered on Hawaiʻi Island in 2013. The rust attacks māmaki and other members of the Urticaceae family by causing the leaves to drop early. Since the initial discovery, surveys at nurseries and botanical gardens throughout the state found no other cases, however, the rust is widespread in the Waiʻanae mountains and especially affects ōpuhe, another member of the native nettle family. At this time, māmaki rust has not been found on Maui and cases should be reported if encountered.

Polyphagous Shothole Borer
This tiny beetle is a little more than half the length of a grain of rice and has a reciprocol relationship with a fungus that it carries on its body. The polyphagous shot hole borer, or PSHB, damages māmaki by boring tunnels into the plant’s bark to farm its fungus food source. Although known to frequent over 30 other plant species, in Hawaiʻi, PSHB seems to prefer māmaki and ōpuhe, both members of the nettle family. Although little is still known about this beetle, it seems to prefer mamaki that are injured, reducing the plants chance of recovery by attacking it. Only documented on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu, PSHB are difficult to spot and capture, but can be detected by the sawdust like frass it leaves at the base of the tree or the tubes outside of its tunnels. They sometimes come out of their tunnels in the afternoon and, if spotted, should be quickly captured for identification.

Report these invasive pests to www.643pest.org if you spot them on māmaki! (L-R) Ramie moth larvae (Photo:HDOA), māmaki rust on an endemic ōpuhe in the Waiʻanae mountains (Photo: K.Magnacca), and polyphagous shot hole borer (Photo: K.Magnacca).

With the eyes and ears of our community, we can all protect Hawaiʻi from invasive species. Kilo (observe) the māmaki plants you frequent, whether they are in your backyard or along a favorite hiking trail, and report any suspicious pests to www.643pest.org.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on May 8, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles.

Celebrating Native Hawaiian Plant Month

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Hawaiʻi is the most isolated landmass on the planet. Because of this, plants and animals that arrived here millions of years ago have made extraordinary evolutionary adaptations, resulting in unique native species found nowhere else in the world. One example is the relationship between Hawaiian lobelia plant species with native forest birds like the ʻiʻiwi. The plant and bird evolved together – the tubular shape of the plant’s flowers perfectly matches the curvature of the bird’s bill, providing food for the ʻiʻiwi and pollination for the lobelia. There are many examples of these specific connections in a native forest, all of which are important in sustaining a healthy watershed.

Hawaiʻi’s native plants play a significant role in Hawaiian culture. Native plants were, and still are, profoundly understood by kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) and used in everything from medicine, dyes, clothing, canoes, lei, weaponry, in religious ceremonies, as hula implements, honored as ʻaumākua (deified ancestors), and more. Many native plants are also considered kinolau, which translates to “many bodies,” and can refer to the physical manifestations that the over 400,000 Hawaiian deities assume in them.

An adult ʻiʻiwi feeds on a Lobelia grayana in Waikamoi Preserve. These native plants and birds evolved together, increasing the survival success of both species- the tubular shape of the plant’s flowers perfectly matches the curvature of the bird’s bill, providing food for the ʻiʻiwi and pollination for the lobelia. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr

Unfortunately, our native plants are in peril, primarily from invasive species and habitat loss. Hawaiʻi bears the designation as the endangered species capital of the world. Although we make up less than one percent of the continental U.S. landmass, we contain 44 percent of the nation’s endangered and threatened plant species. As of last year, 366 native plants have been listed as “endangered” or “threatened,” and an additional 48 species are being proposed as now endangered. Over 100 plant species are listed as extinct, many more are most likely gone.

Recognizing the importance and urgency to support the work being done to protect endangered and threatened native plants, Governor David Ige proclaimed in February 2020 that April is “Native Hawaiian Plant Month.”

This proclamation recognizes the need to draw attention to “the work that Native Hawaiians, scientists, conservation organizations, government officials and the public do every day to conserve, educate and celebrate these special plant species,” along with bringing awareness to Native Hawaiian Culture and the importance of Hawaiʻi’s unique environment.

Native Hawaiian Plant Month also includes ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Day on April 25. This proclamation was made to raise awareness of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), encourage the public to report potentially infected trees, and support the research, prevention methods, and seed banking efforts currently being conducted to protect this critical species. Although ROD is not present on Maui, the public is encouraged to report suspect trees (trees that quickly turn brown within a few days to weeks) to www.643pest.org.

With increased access to both common and rare Native Hawaiian plants through local botanical gardens, nurseries, and stores, many people are now making lei that may not have been woven for decades. Lipoa Kahaleuahi painstakingly gathered and sewed this lei Hōʻawa, remarking that the only other time she has seen this type of lei was from a photo in a museum. Photo by Mike Opgenorth.

There are many ways to celebrate Native Hawaiian Plant month – this month and all year round! Here is a list of three ways you can get involved and celebrate native plants on Maui:

1) Visit the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens: This botanical garden in the heart of Kahului is home to an impressive collection of native and Polynesian introduced plants. You can take a stroll through the gardens to learn about these plant species, attend an in-person or virtual workshop, volunteer with their weekly Weed & Pot club, and take home your very own native plant through their weekly giveaways and plant sales! Admission is free for residents with state I.D Find out more at www.mnbg.org and on their social media platforms at @mauinuibg.

2) Volunteer in native plant restoration efforts: Although many volunteer opportunities are on pause right now, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust still hosts weekly workdays at the Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes and Wetland Refuge to remove invasive plant species and replant native plant species to restore this coastal ecosystem. Workdays occur every Friday and follow strict physical distancing and safety protocols. Visit https://www.hilt.org/ to learn more and participate.

3) Plant native: The diversity of native Hawaiian plants can allow you to bring them home to plant in your yard or keep in a pot. Here are some places where you can purchase a native plant on Maui: Native Nursery, Hoʻolawa Farms, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on April 10, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles.

Don’t Let Hawaii Get Skunked: Preventing A Smelly Invader

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Hawaiʻi is the only state in the U.S. that is rabies-free. State law requires that dogs, cats and carnivores complete a quarantine before entering our islands to ensure that they don’t bring in this deadly virus. However, the process of keeping our rabies-free status has started to get a little smelly with the appearance of several recent hitchhikers.

Over the last three years, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) Inspectors successfully captured four skunks near the harbors and airports in Honolulu and Kahului. And citizens have reported other sightings: In May 2020, someone submitted a video to a social media site showing a skunk in Polipoli. At the end of January of this year, a skunk was filmed near the Costco Maui gas station. In both instances, HDOA PQB Inspectors immediately searched the surrounding areas, deployed traps, and conducted outreach to businesses and the general public, but have not caught anything to date.

Using a can of tuna and a cat trap from the Maui Humane Society, workers captured a skunk that was spotted at Kahului Harbor in Decembe 2020r. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

There are no skunks in Hawaiʻi, outside what’s permitted to live at the zoo. Skunks are among the leading wild carriers of the rabies virus (other significant carriers are bats, raccoons, and foxes). This viral disease is transmitted through an animal’s bite, infecting mammal’s central nervous systems and ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Vaccinations protect pets and domestic animals in the continental U.S., however, there are still cases of pet and human exposures. Each year in the U.S., hundreds of thousands of animals need to be placed under observation or tested for rabies, and between 30,000 to 60,000 people need to receive rabies post-exposure treatment.
In the continental U.S., skunks live in diverse desert, forest, and mountain ecosystems. They prefer open spaces to forage and are primarily nocturnal. Skunks are typically the size of a cat, and are famous for their foul-smelling defense mechanism to deter predators: well-developed scent glands and coordinated muscle control let them accurately aim their spray up to six feet away.

Although it is unknown how skunks snuck into Hawaiʻi, Fern Duvall, Native Ecosystems Protection and Management Maui Nui Program Manager of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, suspects that it’s all about location. “Since skunks prefer open spaces, they could be foraging around loading areas near shipping containers”, Duvall explains, “Since they’re nocturnal, they could seek shelter in a dark container and when the sun starts to rise, accidentally get locked in.” Duvall also mentions the danger of proximity of Maui feral cat colonies to points of entry if skunks were to get loose,

“Skunks could seek food at feral cat feeding stations nearby the harbor and Kanahā Wildlife Refuge. If a rabid skunk were to bite a feral cat, it would spread quickly, creating a serious health crisis for pets and humans alike.”

A rabid skunk could impact native wildlife as well. Hawaiʻi’s only two native land mammals are the Hawaiian Hoary Bat and Hawaiian Monk Seal. Since all mammals are susceptible to the rabies virus, this deadly disease can be transmitted to these species by a rabid animal. Even if not carrying the rabies virus, skunks could eat the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting native birds, some of which are endangered and found nowhere else in the world.

Officials continue to rely on the public to be the eyes and ears of our communities to report unusual animals such as skunks. Maui HDOA Master Journeyman Inspector, Marshall Loope, encourages the public to immediately report any skunk sightings. “If you think you see a skunk, please note an exact, detailed location of where you saw it. If it left any tracks in dirt or sand, take photos of that as well.” Loope cautions the public not to approach a skunk if sighted, “HDOA officials have extensive training and wear personal protective equipment when trapping or encountering any wild animal. If you see a skunk, do not approach or try to capture it. Instead, take a photo or video from a safe distance and report immediately.” If you see a skunk, or any unusual new pest, please report it to the Maui HDOA office by calling (808) 872-3848, going online to www.643pest.org, or calling (808) 643-PEST (7378).

Serena Fukushima is the public relations and education specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a graduate degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Kia’i Moku, Guarding the Island” is written by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to provide information on protecting the island from invasive plants and animals that threaten our islands’ environment, economy and quality of life.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on March 13, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles

Citizen scientists and concerned community find ants new to Hawaiʻi

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

The trap-jaw ant had never before been found in Hawaiʻi until a taro farmer in Hanalei collected it. Photo credit: Tom Murray, iNaturalist.org

In 2017, a taro farmer in Hanalei on Kaua’i found a strange ant in his lo’i – large and brownish red with mouth parts half the length of its head. Entomologists identified it as a species of trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus ruginodis, never before found in Hawai’i. Trap-jaw ants are aptly named: they can open their mandibles to a gaping 180° and, when nearby prey triggers tiny hairs on the inside, snap them shut at an astounding 140 mph, the second-fastest predatory animal movement known. According to Eric Garcia, an entomologist with the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), the ants find homes in composting wood. They will bite and sting but tend to flee when they see people or feel the ground moving, even using their snapping jaws to “jump” away.

The arrival of the trap-jaw ant to our state is relatively recent, but it has plenty of company. Nearly 60 ant species have found their way to Hawai’i, which previously had no ants. All have some impacts, with little fire ants (LFA) causing some of the greatest to date. Unlike trap-jaw ants, LFA are slow-moving, relatively oblivious of their surroundings, and unable to hold onto branches in a breeze. What they lack in aggression, they make up for in sheer number: supercolonies blanket trees and the ground, outcompeting other insects. When humans inadvertently encounter them, they leave with necks and torsos covered in welts from the sting of the ants. Pets can become blind from repeated stings. LFA are targeted for removal in Maui County, O’ahu, and Kaua’i.

Little fire ants are tiny! Only about 2 mm long. Image courtesy of Zach Pezzillo.

With over 20,000 different species of ants in the world, and a high dependency on imported goods, Hawai’i remains vulnerable to other troublesome ants hitchhiking a ride. Pest species that have recently invaded mainland states are particularly worrying.

The red imported fire ant (RIFA), native to South America, has spread throughout Texas and the Southeast. RIFA is very aggressive, swarming up people’s legs, leaving stings that can cause intense itching, swelling, and even anaphylactic shock. The tawny crazy ant, a relative newcomer to the Gulf Coast and southern states, excludes all other species, even covering itself in formic acid as a defense against RIFA. Poultry can die from attacks and cattle and other grazing animals suffer bites on their nostrils, mouths, and eyes. They are attracted to electrical wiring and tend to chew through the plastic casing and cause short circuits and, sometimes, fires.

What’s being done to prevent new invasions?

Inspectors stationed at the ports of entry check high-risk materials – ornamentals, food, and cut flowers – but the volume of incoming cargo limits their ability to inspect everything. Ants are small; many are found but sometimes they slip through. When they do, it’s often taro farmers, nursery owners, school kids, and beachgoers who find them.

The first detection of little fire ants in Hawai’i occurred when a Big Island nursery grower reported them to HDOA. On Maui, 11 of the 17 known infestations came to the attention of the Maui Invasive Species Committee through community reports. Students surveying for little fire ants as part of a class project found a species of ant new to Hawai’i – a tiny yellow LFA look-alike. Public reports of stinging ants at a Lāhainā beach lead to the first detection of the Mexican twig ant on Maui. Even RIFA and LFA were first detected on the mainland by kids: E.O. Wilson – a famed entomologist – collected RIFA in 1942 at age 13 in Alabama and a 12-year-old girl found LFA in Florida in 1924.

What can you do? Join in. This October, the Invasive Species Committees and partners throughout Hawai’i are encouraging people to collect and submit samples of ants from their yards during Stop the Ant Month. Think of it as doing a yearly physical for your home: collect and send in the ants you find to make sure there’s nothing to worry about. If something concerning pops up, early detection is on our side.

Collecting ants is easy; it just takes a smear of peanut butter and a few minutes.

Smear a tiny bit of peanut butter (or mayonnaise if peanut allergies are a concern) on several sticks, coffee stirrers, or pieces of cardboard, and place them in shady places in your yard. Set a timer for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, collect the ants, place them in a plastic bag labeled with your name, address, and contact information, and freeze them overnight.
Mail samples to MISC, P.O. Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768.

Indications of little fire ants include stings on the neck and torso that may resemble an allergic reaction. If you have experienced this, please contact us immediately: miscants@hawaii.edu or report it online through 643PEST.org. Find videos, lessons, and more information about invasive ants in Hawaiʻi at www.stoptheant.org.

Lissa Strohecker is the public relations and education specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. She holds a biological sciences degree from Montana State University. Kia’i Moku, “Guarding the Island,” is prepared by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to provide information on protecting the island from invasive plants and animals that can threaten the island’s environment, economy, and quality of life.

A version of this article was originally published in the Maui News on October 10, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles

Research informs the efforts to stop Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD)

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

ʻŌhiʻa are a keystone species in Hawai’i and are found nowhere else in the world.

ʻŌhiʻa are the pioneers – the first trees to grow on bare lava. ʻŌhiʻa are also adaptable – they grow from sea level to tree line. ʻŌhiʻa are critical in capturing fresh water, supporting threatened and endangered species, and maintaining traditional cultural practices like hula. But these remarkable trees are at risk from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), a disease that kills ʻōhiʻa trees. ROD has killed over one million ʻōhiʻa across Hawaiʻi Island. Diseased trees have been found on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui. Already, hula hālau are staying out of the forests to protect ʻōhiʻa.

Since 2014, a team of highly dedicated scientists – ecologists, plant pathologists, geographers, and foresters – have been studying the origin, impact, and spread of the two newly identified species of fungus that cause Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD): Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. Ceratocystis is a common – and sometimes devastating – plant pathogen, but these two species of Ceratocystis are new to science and new to Hawaiʻi.

Researchers Flint Hughes of the USDA Forest Service, Ryan Perroy of UH Hilo, Greg Asner of Arizona State, and others are using a combination of remote-sensing and field observations to gauge ʻōhiʻa death across Hawaiʻi Island. They have found that more trees are killed by ROD in areas where non-native hooved animals are present when compared to areas protected from those animals.

Invasive animals wound the bark of ʻōhiʻa, creating an entry point for the fungus. Damage from goats, sheep, and cattle is obvious – bark is missing. But the team also observed higher numbers of ROD-killed trees in forests with high pig populations. It is possible that pigs are damaging the roots of the trees opening it up for infection.

In a greenhouse study, pathologist Marc Hughes of the University of Hawaiʻi and the USDA Forest Service mulched potted ʻōhiʻa seedlings with sawdust made from infected trees containing Ceratocystis. The trees were healthy until Hughes cut some of the roots with a knife. Those trees then died, indicating that injuries to roots can also create opportunities for the fungus to infect trees.

“Wounds can only be infected for a short time. Once they dry out the fungus can no longer infect them. So protecting a forest helps, even if it has some ROD now” says J. B. Friday, extension forester with the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service.

Protecting the forests also helps ensure seedling survival. Ecologist Stephanie Yelenik of the USGS conducted experiments looking at what happens to ʻōhiʻa seedlings under ROD-affected trees, in plots where invasive plants and animals were removed and in plots where the pests remained. As seedlings died, researchers tested them for the presence of ROD – no sign of the pathogen was present. Seedlings were six times more likely to die in plots where invasive species were left unchecked. Invasive plants and animals posed a greater threat to the seedlings than ROD did during the study.

The first step in addressing ROD on Maui is to prevent it from arriving. HDOA has established a quarantine on the movement of ʻōhiʻa trees and plant parts from Hawaiʻi Island to other areas in the state. Hikers should brush off soil and clean boots or shoes with rubbing alcohol to remove any ROD-contaminated soil when traveling between islands.

Indiciations of ROD infection include a branch or tree dying quickly – within weeks.

Early detection, finding trees affected with ROD before the disease is widespread, is also key to protecting our ʻōhiʻa. Key signs include leaves that rapidly turning brown and appear frozen in place. On Maui, the only known ROD-affected tree was reported by an alert resident in Hāna. The tree has since been destroyed. The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources surveys our ʻōhiʻa forests looking for symptomatic trees. Conservation crews and Maui residents can report ʻōhiʻa trees that appear to have died quickly. To date, residents have reported fourteen suspect trees over the last year. Though ʻōhiʻa die for many reasons, including drought, injuries from mowers or yard equipment, and herbicide, reporting is essential to finding ROD-damaged trees early. Fortunately, aside from the one tree, all other samples collected from Maui have tested negative for ROD.

Help protect our ʻōhiʻa forests from rapid ʻōhiʻa death: Support watershed protection efforts to remove invasive plants and animals. Respect the inter-island quarantine. Keep reporting suspect ʻōhiʻa trees on Maui to MISC (573-6472) or through 643PEST.org. Join the ʻŌhiʻa Love Festival, November 16-21st. Sign up for the virtual event through rapidohiadeath.org.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on November 10, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Turn Off Lights at Night to Help Protect Seabirds From Invasive Predators

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

Like many seabirds in Hawai’i, wedge-tailed shearwaters, ʻuaʻu kani, nest on the ground in rock crevices or in burrow. Once this chick’s adult feathers grow in, he will leave his burrow at night, navigating by the moon and stars. Artificial light can disorient young birds. Photo by Forest & Kim Starr.

“At one time there were so many seabirds in Hawaiʻi they blackened the sky” says Jay Penniman, manager of the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project.

Seabirds have been in Hawaiʻi for a long time, first arriving around 70 million years ago. The earliest colonists nested on what’s now known as the Emperor Seamount, the northwestern-point of the archipelago that has since eroded below sea level. These ancestral residents mated and reared their young, leaving behind nutrient-rich guano – seabird poop – that helped create soils. Guano nourished and promoted the growth of coral reefs, helping to develop a healthy marine ecosystem. Seeds of flowering plants arrived, sometimes carried in the feathers of the seabirds themselves, and the life on the Hawaiian Islands continued to develop.

As new islands emerged, seabirds continued to colonize them. Some species burrowed into cinder atop Haleakalā, others into dunes and the sandy soil along the coastline, still others in the dense tangle of uluhe fern in the rainforest. Isolation led to the evolution of unique species found nowhere else in the world. Clouds of seabirds helped lead Polynesian navigators to Hawaiʻi.

Once numbering in the milions, seabird populations today are a mere fraction of that. Seabirds nest in burrows, on the ground, or in the branches of low shrubs. After invasive predators – cats, rats, and dogs – began to roam the islands, the adults, young, and eggs too often became lunch or worse—killed for play. Young birds that survive to leave their nest face a different threat: artificial lighting.

For millennia, the night sky was lit only by the moon and stars. Fledgling seabirds would leave their burrows after sunset and navigate to sea using the reflection of the moon and starlight on water. Young birds remain at sea for four to five years until they return home to mate and raise their young.

Now, every fall, young seabirds fledge into an illuminated world. Man-made lighting shines into the night from streett lamps, porches, and stadiums, confuseing the inexperienced birds. They may circle for hours until they fall from the sky exhausted. Blueish-hued lights are particularly disorientating. For millennia, the light in the cooler blue wavelength meant schools of myctophids (lantern fish), the bioluminescent prey for the fledgling birds.

Seabirds played a crucial role in the natural history of the Hawaiian Islands, bringing seeds and nutrients that supported the colonization of life on and near the isolated islands. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr.

Penniman and his team work to tell local residents about the seabirds and respond to reports of downed birds during the fall-out season. One year he was at the Maui Raceway, picking up an petrel, that had crash-landed in the back of a pickup truck. As he gathered up the first bird, bystanders saw another one circling lower and lower. “It fell right at my feet,” says Penniman. “The bird was panting and its heart was racing.” Though able to wing across thousand of miles of ocean, the fledglings are exhausted and unable to move, making them easy prey for predators and at risk from passing cars.

Recovered birds typically spend the night in a pet carrier, then researchers weigh the bird and place a numbered metal band on its leg. In the light of day, they release the birds at the shore, where they fly out over the ocean to safety. Penniman has been working with these birds for 15 years. Those bands can help tell a happy ending: heʻs seen rescued fledglings return as adults, wise now to the distraction of man-made lights.

Cecelia “Cece” Frisinger lets a young ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel) fly out to sea.

You can help. If you find a seabird, call 573-BIRD (2473) and someone from the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project will come to pick it up. Always keep pets contained and away from seabird colonies. Also, check your lighting. Penniman recommends the following to prevent outside lights from distracting fledging seabirds:

Lessen the intensity — use the minimum brightness necessary, measured in lumens,
Turn it off — use lights only when needed and consider installing a motion detector,
Point light down, away from the sky. Shields can direct light towards the ground where it’s needed most
Use warmer temperature, long-wavelength light, above 550nm.

Learn more about seabirds and the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project at mauinuiseabirds.org.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on December 12, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Haʻikū Residents bring back quiet nights through MISC Community Coqui Control Program

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Susan Frett

Haʻikū communities are taking back their quiet nights from noisy, invasive coqui frogs, with tools and training from the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). MISC is currently working with five Haʻikū neighborhoods –Haʻikū Hill, Haʻikū Mauka, Haʻikū Makai, Lower Kokomo and Akoa/Ala Olu/Makaio. The program is ready to assist and empower more Haʻikū residents in the fight against this invasive species to protect their way of life and health of our native ecosystems.

Ha’ikū residents support each other in controlling coqui frogs on their properties with support from MISCʻs Community Coqui Control Program.

MISC recognized that in addition to strong support from the County of Maui and State of Hawai’i, containing and eradicating coqui in Haʻikū would require strong engagement at a neighborhood level. MISC launched the program to support and expand on existing community coqui control efforts by residents. MISC provides training, equipment, and citric acid solution (a food additive mixed with water). Community members provide boots on the ground – removing vegetation, hauling hoses, and dousing infested areas with citric acid solution. And it’s working. According to Haʻikū Hill team leader John Phelps, “Spraying each month has reduced the number of frogs on each property from hundreds to only a handful.” Neighbors working together can be more effective than independent control efforts, as coqui can quickly move into untreated areas or reinfest properties without a consistent effort. Participants report an additional benefit: the program is a good opportunity to get involved and meet their neighbors. MISC follows all social distancing and mask-wearing protocols whenever working in the community and all control work is conducted outdoors.

A Haʻikū residents sprays citric acid to control coqui on his property.

MISC provides different levels of support, depending on community need and participation. Individual residents can receive free powdered citric acid to control coqui on their property once MISC has confirmed that coqui are present. Residents can also borrow a 9-gallon walk-behind sprayer or a 100-gallon sprayer that fits in the back of a pickup truck. MISC provides training on how to effectively use the sprayers.

When three or more neighbors agree to work together across their properties, MISC provides a 100-gallon sprayer to participating residents every six weeks and helps residents with spray operations if needed. For larger groups of neighbors (at least nine committed households, plus a person who serves as a point of contact) MISC provides a reservoir of pre-mixed citric acid during the specified control week on a six week rotation. Participants report that having mixed citric acid in advance has been a “game changer” as it allows the team to focus directly on control activities. In two neighborhoods, the community groups proposed using a pipeline to effectively treat a larger area. MISC and the residents worked together to design and install the systems.

MISC provides a variety of sprayers to residents wanting to control coqui frogs on their properties.

Over the years, MISC has been able to eradicate 21 coqui populations on the island. Abe Vandenberg, MISC Coqui Field Coordinator, says the key to those successes has been persistence and consistency. He emphasizes the importance of community efforts, noting record levels of participation last summer, “Local engagement is a huge help to the island-wide coqui control strategy. As more community members help remove coqui from their own backyards, they allow MISC staff to take on more challenging work in the gulches and other areas with difficult access. Working the process of small wins will lead us toward the biggest possible success – a coqui-free Maui.”

For more information about the program, visit: https://mauiinvasive.org/community-coqui-control-program/
To get involved, call MISC’s Community Coqui Control Coordinator Susan Frett at 808-633-6646 or email skfrett@hawaii.edu.
To learn more about coqui, including environmental impacts, visit: https://mauiinvasive.org/coqui-frog/
To submit a report, visit: https://bit.ly/Coqui-Maui-Public-Report-Form or call MISC at 808-573-6472.

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Protecting Māmaki From Invasive Species

Celebrating Native Hawaiian Plant Month

Don’t Let Hawaii Get Skunked: Preventing A Smelly Invader

Citizen scientists and concerned community find ants new to Hawaiʻi

Research informs the efforts to stop Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD)

Turn Off Lights at Night to Help Protect Seabirds From Invasive Predators

Haʻikū Residents bring back quiet nights through MISC Community Coqui Control Program

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