Summer heat brings out the bugs-- so what’s bugging you??
This week the alert went out about a new pest on discovered on Maui. The Ramie moth and caterpillar likes mamaki tea leaves. You might want to keep an eye out for this new hitchhiker. It has spread quickly in the Maui forests and in backyard gardens.
Agriculture officials tell us they get lots of calls about a mistaken identity--do you have the scary looking Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle or not?
Some of the invasive critters and new diseases are specific to different islands. Do you know what to be on the lookout for in your backyard garden or while hiking in the boonies. Who you gonna call when do you find something peculiar?
Joining us today are
Darcy Onishi, is with the plant Pest Control branch of the state department of agriculture. He is responsible for emergency response, biocontrol and identification programs.
Kalani Matsumura is with the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and coordinates the Oahu’s Master Gardener Program. Kalani supports sustainability and environmental protection through home gardening, urban landscapes, and school garden education.
Cynthia Nazario-Leary is also an extension agent with the University of Hawaii and is the Statewide and Maui coordinator for the Master Gardener volunteer program. In addition to her love of plants, Nazario-Leary appreciates a good pollinator.
