Here are two very significant examples of biological control in action here in Hawai‘i:

Several years ago, the stinging nettle caterpillar was found a couple of miles from where we live in Panaewa.

Its stinging, spiny hairs have a physical effect on human skin similar to that of fiberglass. The spines also release an irritant (a mixture of histamines) produced by a poison gland, which causes the skin to burn and itch. Fruit growers were afraid that, left uncontrolled, this insect could put their workers in danger.

“The detection of nettle caterpillar in Hawai`i quickly set HDOA on a mission to find a natural enemy that would be specific to that particular pest,” said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Chairperson of the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture.  “Although this pest was not well known in the world, our entomologists were able to find and test a tiny wasp that preys on the stinging caterpillar and nothing else found in Hawai`i.”

Another example was the highly successful biocontrol program for the Erythrina gall wasp, which resulted in the rebounding of the native wiliwili trees.

Both of these accomplishments took a lot of hard work and went largely unnoticed by the general public, but they were very significant and have been very important to Hawai‘i.

Sandy Kunimoto should be proud of the Department of Agriculture’s accomplishments in this area. I am.