#arcte coerula

Invasive ramie moth, targeting māmaki, detected on Kauaʻi

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.

Invasive Caterpillar Threatens Rare Native Plants on Maui

The invasive Arcte coerula (Ramie moth) caterpillar has been found on Maui. Biologists found the invasive species feeding on māmaki in Olowalu.