#secusio extensa

State agricultural officials say the Madagascan fireweed moth is the state’s “best hope” for controlling the fireweed which authorities say has taken over more than 850,000 acres of pastureland, mostly on Maui and Hawai’I Island.

An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday on Maui to present plans for the release of a natural enemy of the invasive fireweed plant.

Fireweed plants have taken over more than 850,000 acres of pastureland, mainly on Maui and Hawaii Island. The biocontrol effort to control the invasive and toxic fireweed plant is expected expand to Maui in the coming weeks following monitoring efforts on the Big Island.