Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Erythrina abyssinica


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: Low risk, score: 5 (low risk based on second screen)


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.
Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. Family - Fabaceae. Common Names(s) - Erythrina, red-hot poker tree, lucky bean tree. Synonym(s) - .

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

-2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

4

-1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

y

-1

Total score:

5

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

 

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) It is native to south, central and east Africa, usually found in woodland, open wooded grasslands or savannahs where it establishes a deep-root system before stem growth starts….Latitude. between 15°N and 30°S

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.02

Native range well within tropics

 

2.03

[Altitude range > 1000m] (1)E. abyssinica grows relatively slowly and does not grow well at high altitudes or in very dry climates, preferring medium to high altitude areas with 800-2000 mm rain per year... - Altitude range: 300 - 2400 m
- Mean annual rainfall: 600 - 1500 mm
- Rainfall regime: summer; winter
- Dry season duration: 0 - 6 months
- Mean annual temperature: 20 - 30ºC
- Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 25 - 32ºC
- Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: 5 - 20ºC

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.04

(1) It is native to south, central and east Africa, usually found in woodland, open wooded grasslands or savannahs where it establishes a deep-root system before stem growth starts….Latitude. between 15°N and 30°S

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

2.05

(1)The species is also grown as an exotic in southern Asia where it was first introduced from Uganda to India. (2)has been introduced to many other places through cultivation.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Staples, G.W. and D.R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora. Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

3.01

(1)Swaziland's Alien Plants Database (naturalised) [This is the only mention of naturalization in the literature, with no further details on naturalized status. Swaziland also falls within the native distribution of E. abyssinica]

(1)http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/erythrina_abyssinica/ [Accessed 11 July 2008]

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

(1)AB: The control of streambank weeds in Australia is reviewed. Topics discussed include: the need to control exotic plants; problems of erosion as a consequence; a case study example of Salix spp. on the Nambucca River, New South Wales; problems caused by invasion of camphor laurel [Cinnamomum camphora ], Gleditsia tri[a]canthos, Erythrina crista-galli, Tamarix aphylla and Rubus discolor ; and an outline of management methods. (2)Environmental weed of unknown importance, New South Wales, Australia (3)Listed noxious weed, Manley, Australia (4)Noxious Weeds in NSW

(1)Sainty, G. (1995) Streambank weeds. Better planning for better weed management. Proceedings of the 8th biennial noxious weeds conference, Goulburn, NSW, Australia, 19-21 September 1995: volume 1., 1995, pp.85-86 (2)Randall, R. 2001. Garden thugs, a national list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants. Plant Protection Quarterly 16:138-171. (3)http://www.quarantine.org.au/environment/weed_noxious_manly.html (4)http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/noxweed/?MIval=weed-main&find=OK&lga=&common=Cockspur%2Bcoral%2Btree&botname=

4.01

(1)Leaves are compound, trifoliate, alternate, leaflets are very wide (6-15 x 6-14 cm), with underside veins and midribs sometimes bearing prickles. (2)All parts of the tree except the older leaves and older trunk are covered with small black curved thorns

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

4.02

No evidence (1)its leaves degrade rapidly to release nitrogen when used as a green manure.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

4.03

No evidence

4.04

(1)The species also has high potential as a forage supplement for sheep and goats, and its leaves degrade rapidly to release nitrogen when used as a green manure. (2)Abstract Feeding value of Erythrina abyssinica leaves were evaluated with native sheep and goats at Soddo, southern Ethiopia in a 21-day digestibility and 80-day growth trial. In the digestibility trial, wilted leaves of E. abyssinica were fed ad libitum, while in the growth trial, animals were offered a basal diet of P. purpureum with three levels (0, 500, 1000 g/head/day) of E. abyssinica leaf. No significant (P>0.05) differences were found between sheep and goats in voluntary intakes and digestibilities of organic matter, nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber. Supplementing a basal diet of P. purpureum with increasing levels of E. abyssinica leaves resulted in reduced intake of P. purpureum, but increased total organic matter intake in both species. Liveweight gains of sheep and goats increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of E. abyssinica leaf supplementation. Sheep gained weight faster (P<0.04) than goats.
Based on the results it was concluded that E. abyssinica has high forage potential and can effectively serve as a cheap source of protein supplement for low quality diets during the dry season for resource-poor farmers with stall-fed sheep and goats. (3)Fodder: The foliage is considered a good protein supplement for ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) and has been used as a fodder source for rabbits and pigs.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Larbi, A., D. Thomas and J. Hanson. 1993. Forage potential of Erythrina abyssinica: intake, digestibility and growth rates for stall-fed sheep and goats in southern Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems 21(3): 263-270. (3)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

4.05

(1)The seed of all Erythrina is poisonous [Although the seeds are toxic, there is no evidence of animals becoming poisoned by this tree. Foliage is also palatable. See 4.04]

(1)Hines, D.A. and K. Eckman. 1993. Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania: Uses and economic benefits for people. Available from http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5327e/x5327e11.htm [Accessed 10 July 2008]

4.06

[Host of some important agricultural and forestry pests, but pests have a wide host range] (1)Pests recorded
Insects:
Mesoplatys ochroptera (sesbanie beetle)
Planococcus kenyae (coffee mealybug)
Specularius impressithorax
Terastia
Xylosandrus compactus (shot-hole borer) (2)Pests and diseases: Defoliating insects are a major problem for E. abyssinica. The tree is also attacked by a stem borer, and the wood is susceptible to fungal attack. Other insect pests include bruchid seed weevil and chrysomelid leaf beetle. Leaf galls have been observed on the tree.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

4.07

(1)Poison: Seeds of E. abyssinica contain a curare-like poison that, if injected into the bloodstream, acts as an anaesthetic that may cause paralysis and even death by respiratory failure. Medicine: Pounded parts are used in a steam form in Kenya to treat diseases such as anthrax, and the bark is boiled with goat meat for treating gonorrhoea. The bark of the green stem may also be pounded and then tied into a fine piece of cloth and the liquid from it squeezed into the eyes to cure inflammation of the lids. The bark may be roasted until black, powdered, and applied to burns and general body swellings. A decoction is taken orally as an anthelmintic and to relive abdominal pains. The roots are used to treat syphilis, and the leaves to cure skin diseases in cattle. Other products: The seeds are used to decorate trinkets, bracelets and necklaces. [Medicinal uses, but no evidence of accidental poisoning or allergice reactions]

(1)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

4.08

(1)As with many trees in areas with frequent fires, the young trees establish a deep root system before stem growth…E. abyssinica trees may be cut for firewood. [Although used for firewood, and tolerant of fires, no evidence of increasing fire risk or fire frequency]

(1)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738#Uses [Accessed 11 July 2008]

4.09

(1)Light requirements: Sun

(1)Riffle, R. L. 1998. The Tropical Look. An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

4.10

(1)Soil descriptors
- Soil texture: light; medium; heavy
- Soil drainage: free; impeded; seasonally waterlogged
- Soil reaction: acid; neutral
- Special soil tolerances: shallow; infertile (2)Soil requirements: Occurs on a variety of soils from loams to clay loams.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Hines, D.A. and K. Eckman. 1993. Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania: Uses and economic benefits for people. Available from http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5327e/x5327e11.htm [Accessed 10 July 2008]

4.11

A tree

4.12

No evidence (1)Habitat: A scattered tree in wooded grassland, in open deciduous woodland and on rocky hillsides; can be grown as a 'living fence' from truncheons.

(1)http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.ERYTHRINA.ABYSSINICA [Accessed 11 July 2008]

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Fabaceae

5.03

Fabaceae

5.04

No evidence

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1) E. abyssinica grows readily from stakes planted at the onset of the rainy season, but can also be established from seed or cuttings.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

6.03

(1)Miller 2246 representing a hybrid between E. lysistemon and E. abyssinica was collected from an 8 m tree growing naturally in the Harare Botanic Garden. The specimen has the bilabiate calyx and fused keel petals of E. lysistemon Hutch. with the longer calyx lobes (upwards of 6 mm) and dense tomentum of E. abyssinica Lam. ex DC. See also erythrina× coddii.Verdcourt in Kew Bull. 24: 284 (1970) considers that two distinct subspecies of this species can be recognized at either end of its geographical range, distinguished mainly by the size and shape of the calyx lobes. Having studied material from the Flora Zambesiaca area, I concur with his view that in the middle of the geographical range of this species (Zambia and Dem. Rep. Congo) intermediate populations occur rendering the use of these subspecific ranks impractical. [no further evidence of natural hybridization]

(1)http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.FLORA.FZ2157&pgs= [Accessed 11 July 2008]

6.04

(1)Erythrina species are self-compatible, but some inbreeding depression is associated with selfing.

(1)Neill, D.A. 1988. Experimental Studies on Species Relationships in Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 75(3): 886-969.

6.05

(1)Honey bees are also attracted by the flowers. (2)All 42 Old World species and 15 of the 70 New World species are pollinated by "perching birds" of several families in the order Passeriformes.

(1)Hines, D.A. and K. Eckman. 1993. Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania: Uses and economic benefits for people. Available from http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5327e/x5327e11.htm [Accessed 10 July 2008] (2)Neill, D.A. 1988. Experimental Studies on Species Relationships in Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 75(3): 886-969.

6.06

(1)E. abyssinica grows readily from stakes planted at the onset of the rainy season, but can also be established from seed or cuttings.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

6.07

(1)It is native to south, central and east Africa, usually found in woodland, open wooded grasslands or savannahs where it establishes a deep-root system before stem growth starts...E. abyssinica grows relatively slowly [probably reaches reproductive maturity after 4+ years]

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.01

No means of attachment

 

7.02

(1) The species is widely grown as a shade plant in coffee plantations and in grazing fields, and it is a popular ornamental.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

7.03

Not likely as seeds are fairly large

 

7.04

(1)Alone in Erythrina, E. subumbrans of Asia-Oceania has winged, wind-dispersed fruits.

(1)Neill, D.A. 1988. Experimental Studies on Species Relationships in Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 75(3): 886-969.

7.05

Unknown [no information on seed buoyancy of E. abyssinica] (1)"The seeds do not float (E. sandwicensis), although seeds of non-Hawaiian erythrinas can"

(1)Carquist S. 1980. Hawaii: A Natural History. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. Lawai, Hawaii USA.

7.06

(1)red seeds with a grey-black patch. (2)The red or red-and-black seeds are presumed to be "imitation arils" or mimetic berries. According to this theory, they are eaten by frugivorous birds attracted by the bright colors and are dispersed when they pass through the digestive tract unharmed, but there are few actual reports of such "mistake" dispersals. (3)Reproductive Biology: In southern Africa, flowering occurs from July to November, and fruiting from November to March...Seeds mature within 60 days of pollination, and they are dispersed by fruit-eating birds that mistake them for ripe berries.

(1)MacLachlan, M. 2002. Manual of Higland Ethiopian Trees and Shrubs. SIM Forestry Study Project. Injibara, Ethiopea. Available from http://www.5fs.org/Highland%20Manual.pdf [Accessed 10 July 2008] (2)Neill, D.A. 1988. Experimental Studies on Species Relationships in Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 75(3): 886-969. (3)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

7.07

No means of attachment

 

7.08

(1)red seeds with a grey-black patch. (2)The red or red-and-black seeds are presumed to be "imitation arils" or mimetic berries. According to this theory, they are eaten by frugivorous birds attracted by the bright colors and are dispersed when they pass through the digestive tract unharmed, but there are few actual reports of such "mistake" dispersals. (3)Reproductive Biology: In southern Africa, flowering occurs from July to November, and fruiting from November to March...Seeds mature within 60 days of pollination, and they are dispersed by fruit-eating birds that mistake them for ripe berries. [seeds dispersed by birds presumably survive passage through gut]

(1)MacLachlan, M. 2002. Manual of Higland Ethiopian Trees and Shrubs. SIM Forestry Study Project. Injibara, Ethiopea. Available from http://www.5fs.org/Highland%20Manual.pdf [Accessed 10 July 2008] (2)Neill, D.A. 1988. Experimental Studies on Species Relationships in Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 75(3): 886-969. (3)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

8.01

(1)Erythrina abyssinica is medium-sized tree, usually 5-15 m in height,…Fruit a cylindrical, woody pod, 4-16 cm long, deeply constricted between the seeds, densely furry, light brown in colour, opening to set free 1-10 shiny, red seeds with a grey-black patch [relatively small tree with large seeds]

(1)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738#Uses [Accessed 11 July 2008]

8.02

(1)The seeds of the species have a hard coat and should be scarified or nicked with a knife to enhance germination, or pretreated by soaking in hot water or concentrated sulphuric acid….- Seed storage orthodox (2)Seeds retain their viability for a long period, and may be stored indefinitely in cool, dry, insect free conditions. (3)Germplasm Management
The seeds may be stored for long periods without losing viability if kept cool, dry and insect free. Seeds that have been damaged by insects should be discarded. Before storage, remnants of the pod should be removed and the seeds sun dried for 1 day. Storage should be in a cool, dry place. For long-term storage, seeds are kept in a low-temperature seed-storage facility (approximately 5 deg. C and 30-40 r.h.). On average, there are about 6800 seeds/kg.

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (2)Hines, D.A. and K. Eckman. 1993. Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania: Uses and economic benefits for people. Available from http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5327e/x5327e11.htm [Accessed 10 July 2008] (3)http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=738 [Accessed 11 July 2008]

8.03

(1)Trees (>5 cm trunk diameter) can be drilled/frilled or cut and painted with a registered herbicide. Herbicide should be applied within 30 seconds of making the cut to ensure maximum intake by the plant. Follow-up control may be necessary. [Information for control of Erythrina crista-galli suggests tree can be controlled by herbicides, but no information available for E. abyssinica]

(1)http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Class4plan-CoralTree.pdf [Accessed 11 July 2008]

8.04

(1)E. abyssinica grows readily from stakes planted at the onset of the rainy season, but can also be established from seed or cuttings… It is suited to both coppicing and pollarding...E. abyssinica makes a good live fence, as it sprouts from truncheons if cut before flowering

(1)CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.

8.05

Seed predator established in Hawaiian Islands (1)Abstract: The bruchid beetle Specularius impressithorax, a multivoltine species, feeds on seeds of Erythrina abyssinica (leguminosae) affecting them in storage. Larval development was indicated by weight loss of infested seeds and five larval instars were detected. Breaking through the emergence disk demands much energy, and was registered by a large weight loss of the beetle. Despite a strong host specificity, the chemistry of S. impressithorax resembled that of other bruchid beetles. During larval development zinc and copper were extracted strongly from food, and accumulated, whereas all other divalent metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn) was mostly excreted. The development time from egg to emergence is reduced with increasing ambient temperature in the range from 20 to 30 degree C. At 4 degree C no development occurs, so that seed storage at this temperature is very favourable. Ovipositing beetles have an olfactory preference for seeds of E. abyssinica as host, but after a long delay accept seeds of other species in the absence of the host seed. Larval development terminated after the first instar of seeds of non-host species of the co-occurring miombo woodland trees Acacia erioloba and Brachystegia spiciformis and the pulses Cajanus cajan, Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata, thus S. impressithorax will not affect other stored seeds of forest trees. (2)This study was initiated to develop preliminary information to assist in determining the impacts of an invasive seed beetle (Specularis impressithorax) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) dryland forests of the Hawaiian Islands. Apparently native to Africa, this species was first collected in Hawaii on Oahu in 2001, Maui in 2002, and Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe in 2003. This beetle attacks wiliwili seeds in open seedpods only. Whitish eggs are attached to the outside of seeds. All larval instars and pupation are completed within the seed. Multiple emergence holes leave seeds with a characteristic shotgunned appearance, conspicuous even to casual observers. Germination experiments are underway and though germination is possible with one or a few emergence holes, seeds become non-viable as the number increases. A parasitoid wasp (Bethylidae), collected on Maui, may parasitize Specularis larvae. Experimentally, Specularis oviposits on, but thus far, does not attack other native legume seeds. Our collections and experiments suggests that Specularis parasitizes only numerous species of Erythrina in Hawaii including the endemic wiliwili. As wiliwili is the dominant species of the wiliwili forest, the effects of this single beetle may come to radically degrade the forest type. More information is needed to better evaluate the impact of this alien beetle on lowland Hawaiian dry forests.

(1)Ernst, W. H. O. 1993. Food consumption, life history and determinants of host range in the bruchid beetle Specularius impressithorax (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Journal of Stored Products Research 29(1): 53-62. (2)Medeiros, A.C., E. vonAllmen, M. Fukada, G.A. Samuelson, F. Starr, and K. Starr. 2004. A preliminary assessment of the establishment, ecology, and distribution of an invasive bruchid (Specularius impressithorax Pic), an important seed predator of the native wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis). Abstract and poster session at Hawaii Conservation Conference, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 29-30, 2004.


Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER!


[ Return to PIER homepage ] [Risk assessment page]


This page created 22 November 2008