#nettle caterpillar

A community report to the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee last month led to the collection of a single live ramie moth (Arcte coerula) caterpillar, the first detection of the invasive pest on Kauaʻi. This pest poses a threat to native invertebrates such as the Kamehameha butterfly and native snails by competing for the same plants.

In 2018, an invertebrate biologist discovered an unfamiliar black caterpillar feeding on a māmaki plant in Olowalu Valley. Experts confirmed the caterpillar was ramie moth, a species native to Southeast Asia that aggressively feeds on plants in the nettle family, like māmaki. The biologist’s sighting marked the first confirmation of ramie moth in Hawaiʻi and the US.

Officials with the state Department of Agriculture say residents on the Garden Isle may begin to see more of the pest during the peak summer months, and are asking the public’s help in reporting possible infestations.

State and County workers on Maui gathered for a special training session to battle Maui’s newest pest, the invasive Little Fire Ant, which was discovered on a farm in Waihee earlier this month. More than 50 employees attended the meeting at the Waikapu Community Center on Wednesday.  The session was set up by Maui Mayor […]