Markin, G. P., R. F. Nagata, and D. E. Gardner. 1992. Biological control of introduced weeds of native Hawaiian forests. Proceedings of the session on tropical forestry for people of the Pacific, XVII Pacific Science Congress, May 27-28, 1991; Honolulu, Hawaii. USDA Forest Service PSW-GTR-129. 84-88
ABSTRACT
Among the many threats to the continued existence of the remaining native forests and other native ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands, the most severe and the most difficult to control are the invasion and replacement by introduced species of plants. Because conventional methods of plant management have failed to control this invasion, a multiagency, state and federal program was initiated in 1980 to attempt control through the use of classical biological control: the introduction, release, and establishment of the natural enemies of the weeds, including both insects and pathogens. Currently, active programs are under way against six different introduced weeds; banana poka (Passiflora mollissima), firetree (Myrica faya), gorse (Ulex europaeus), introduced blackberry (Rubus argutus), Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta), and strawberry guava (Psidium catlleianum). Under the present program, five insects and one pathogen have been tested and released in Hawaii. Three more insects are waiting final approval, and one pathogen has been approved but not released. Ten other insects and pathogens are being tested in Hawaii, and we are supporting scientists in five foreign countries who are studying the plants in their native ecosystems to identify further agents for us. On the basis of the high rate of success of previous programs for biological control of agricultural weeds in Hawaii, we hope that this program will be a successful tool for managing forest weeds. It will also offer a relatively cheap, safe, but effective method of vegetative management in forest ecosystems on other Pacific islands.
FULL TEXT
Full text not available for this publication.
HOSTS
No host information available for this publication.
PATHOGENS
No pathogen information available for this publication.
RELEVANT TO BIOCONTROL
Yes.
KEY WORDS
Keywords not available for this publication.
