Tectococcus ovatus (a type of scale)

"Brazilian scale" is a potential biocontrol agent for strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum).  "Brazilian scale" is a potential biocontrol agent for strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum).  Tectococcus ovatus is not known to occur in Hawaii (as of 08 October 2005). 

Featured items

Fact and fiction about waiawi [strawberry guava] control 
"Opponents of the planned introduction of a biocontrol agent for strawberry guava have raised several arguments. Here are the top concerns, along with the responses from scientists with the Forest Service, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and others...."

Taxonomy & nomenclature

Biocontrol (potential for use as)

Bugs could slow strawberry guava
"Bugs could slow strawberry guava" discusses the possibility of releasing a biocontrol agent (Tectococcus ovatus) in Hawaii to slow the spread of the invasive strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum). Strawberry guava trees threaten the existence of many native ecosystems in Hawaii.

Host specificity of Tectococcus ovatus (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), a potential biological control agent of the invasive strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), in Florida
"In total, 57 plant species representing 21 families were included in the host range tests.... The results of the host specificity tests suggest that [Tectococcus] ovatus is a suitable candidate for classical biological control of strawberry guava in Florida."

"Field release of Tectococcus ovatus (Homoptera: Eriococcidae) for biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae), in Hawaii (March 2008) 
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, proposes the environmental release in Hawaii of a scale insect from Brazil, Tectococcus ovatus Hempel (Homoptera: Eriococcidae), for classical biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae). Tectococcus ovatus is a highly specific insect that produces leaf galls on strawberry guava in its native range in Brazil. The purpose of establishing this insect species in Hawaii is to reduce growth and reproduction of strawberry guava, thereby limiting this weed's ability to invade native forests and reducing an important source of agricultural pest fruit flies."

Strawberry guava biocontrol possible
The proposal to release a scale insect as a biocontrol for strawberry guava in Hawaii is discussed in the Raising Islands blog by Jan TenBruggencate (7/12/2008).

Insect released proposed to control exotic strawberry guava 
"U.S. Forest Service scientists with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry have submitted a proposal to release a Brazilian insect to control the spread of strawberry guava, a South American tree that has invaded and degraded native Hawaiian ecosystems since it was introduced in 1825 as a garden plant."

Petition for field release of Tectococcus ovatus (Homoptera: Eriococcidae) for classical biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae), in Hawaii (10 May 2005) 
"Tectococcus ovatus is proposed for release into the environment for biological control of P[sidium] cattleianum in the state of Hawaii. This highly specific insect produces leaf galls on P. cattleianum in its native range in Brazil. It is expected to reduce growth and reproduction of P. cattleianum, thereby limiting spread of the weed and production of fruits available to pest fruit flies...."

Legislation/regulation

Petition for field release of Tectococcus ovatus (Homoptera: Eriococcidae) for classical biological control of strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae), in Hawaii (10 May 2005) 
"Tectococcus ovatus is proposed for release into the environment for biological control of P[sidium] cattleianum in the state of Hawaii. This highly specific insect produces leaf galls on P. cattleianum in its native range in Brazil. It is expected to reduce growth and reproduction of P. cattleianum, thereby limiting spread of the weed and production of fruits available to pest fruit flies...."

Images

In the news

Controversy flares over proposal to control waiawi [strawberry guava] with scale insect 
"The proposed release of a scale insect to control strawberry guava, or waiawi (Psidium cattleianum), has sparked an outcry of opposition among some sectors of the public. Yet, although the opposition means a delay in the scheduled release, the scientists most closely involved with the project say they welcome the development as an opportunity to educate the public about what they do and the ways in which their plan can work to the state's benefit."

Fact and fiction about waiawi [strawberry guava] control 
"Opponents of the planned introduction of a biocontrol agent for strawberry guava have raised several arguments. Here are the top concerns, along with the responses from scientists with the Forest Service, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and others...."

Insect release proposed to control exotic strawberry guava 
"U.S. Forest Service scientists with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry have submitted a proposal to release a Brazilian insect to control the spread of strawberry guava, a South American tree that has invaded and degraded native Hawaiían ecosystems since it was introduced in 1825 as a garden plant."

Bugs could slow strawberry guava
"Bugs could slow strawberry guava" discusses the possibility of releasing a biocontrol agent (Tectococcus ovatus) in Hawaii to slow the spread of the invasive strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum). Strawberry guava trees threaten the existence of many native ecosystems in Hawaii.

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The content of this page is based on information last generated on 24 November 2008 by PT. The template for this page was created on 15 March 2004 by EMS, and was last updated on 20 February 2006 by PT.