Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)

Archives for November 2019

ARE YOU GETTING BITTEN OR STUNG IN YOUR YARD?

SEVERAL LITTLE FIRE ANTS INFESTATIONS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TREATMENT ON OAHU.

These recent detections of little fire ants on Oahu are the results of residents submitting ants for identification after being repeatedly “bitten” in their yard. There are over 50 species of ants in Hawaii and none are native. However, some are worse than others…and little fire ants are one of the worst in the world. There are several stinging ants widely established on the island that are similar in color and size. To identify ants by their species, they need to be looked at under a microscope. So, the public is asked to collect and send their ants for identification.

If little fire ant infestations are found early….the successful eradication of that colony is greatly increased.

So please…COLLECT & SUBMIT YOUR ANTS FOR IDENTIFICATION: “How to Test for LFA,” which shows the step-by-step procedure for testing for LFA:  https://vimeo.com/97558997

  • It’s easy…you just need to place a very thin smear of peanut butter on the end of a stick, a small piece of paper and leave it in a damp, shady area for 1 hour.
  • Place any sticks that have ants into a ziptop bag and freeze overnight to kill the ants.
  • Mail the ziptop bag of ants to either HDOA: 1428 S. King St., Honolulu 96814 or OISC: 743 Ulukahiki St., Kailua 96734…we’ll identify them and let you know.

For more information on Stop the Ant campaign, go to:  http://stoptheant.org/

LFA was first detected in the state on Hawaii Island in 1999. However, by time it was found, the ants were widely disbursed on the island and no treatment protocol existed for eradication. The HAL was then established to research best method of eradication and control of LFA. The treatment plans developed by HAL and HDOA entomologists have been very successful in eradicating new infestations. The protocol uses several types of pesticides and bait formulas applied on a six-week interval for a total of eight treatments. Originally from South America, LFA is considered among the world’s worst invasive species. LFA are tiny ants, measuring 1/16th inch long, and pale orange in color. LFA move slowly, unlike the tropical fire ant, which is established in Hawaii, can move quickly, and is much larger with a larger head in proportion to its body. LFA can produce painful stings and large red welts and may cause blindness in pets. They can build up very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other vegetation, and inside buildings and homes and completely overrun a property.

Are these little fire ants? Don’t know! There are several ants similar in size and color that are widespread in Hawaii. We can’t ID the ant species unless we look at them under a microscope. Collect and send your ants in for identification and find out what species of ants you have.

 

Current Areas Under Treatment for LFA on Oahu:

Kaneohe, Oahu

  • Reported December 19, 2018 – Samples submitted to HAL
  • Treatment zone 2 acres; 11 properties involved
  • Treatment began January 2019; survey in July 2019 found no LFA
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Ahuimanu, Oahu

  • Reported January 25, 2019 – Samples submitted by resident to Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)
  • Treatment zone 2 acres; 12 properties involved
  • Treatment began March 2019
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, OISC

Lanikai, Oahu

  • Reported June 13, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL.
  • Treatment zone < 2 acres; 6 properties involved
  • Treatment began July 17, 2019
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Kualoa, Oahu

  • Reported May 8, 2019 – Kualoa staff submitted ant samples to OISC.
  • Treatment zone 20 acres; pastures, natural areas, unpaved roadways
  • Treatment began September 16, 2019
  • Participating Partners: Kualoa Ranch, HAL, HDOA, GCAPS, OISC, Oahu Army National Resource Program
  • (OANRP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),

Makiki Heights, Oahu

  • Reported July 23, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL – Oahu
  • Treatment zone approximately 5 acres; 18 properties involved
  • Treatment began October 9, 2019
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Pauoa, Oahu

  • Reported August 30, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HDOA/HAL
  • Delimiting surveys currently being conducted on approximately 2 acres and 8 properties involved
  • Treatment will begin when surveys are complete
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Laie, Oahu

  • Reported October 7, 2019
  • Delimiting surveys currently being conducted
  • Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, GCAPS, OISC, OANRP, USFWLS

 

FOURTH DETECTION OF RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH ON O‘AHU

Dead leaves still attached to ʻōhiʻa (as seen here from the air)…this is known as “flagging” and symptomatic of potential presence of ROD inside the tree.

(Honolulu) – An aerial survey of some 20,000 acres of forest on O‘ahu has resulted in the fourth detection of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) in an ʻōhiʻa in the Moanalua Section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve above Tripler Army Medical Center.

“Fortunately,” explains State Protection Forester Rob Hauff of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), this tree is infected with Ceratocystis huliohia, the less aggressive species of the fungus associated with ROD.”  The tree was located using a helicopter-mounted camera system developed by the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo, Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab (SDAV).  The collected images were analyzed in partnership with staff from the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) and DOFAW, as part of an on-going effort to improve the ability of field personnel to spot potentially infected trees.

The previous detections of the same species on O‘ahu include single trees on Kamehameha Schools land in Waiawa, and on two private properties in Windward O‘ahu residential areas. Nathan Dube, the manager of the OISC said both of those trees were planted ʻōhiʻa. He said, “Both of these detections were from concerned landowners, who reported their dead or dying ʻōhiʻa to OISC.  An OISC field team cut down the trees, dissected them, and sent samples to a lab in Hilo for positive confirmation and for research purposes.”

The aerial survey that picked up the tree in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, focused on the area adjacent to the earlier Waiawa detection. Surveyors identified about 40 additional trees from the images that need to be sampled for the disease, including ground-truthing. That process will take some time, as the area is rugged and difficult to reach.  DOFAW and OISC crews, with the help from experts on Hawai’i Island, decided to remove the infected branch of the tree and monitor it monthly for further signs of disease. Crews used a sealant on the wound to prevent additional disease infection.

*Please report location of dead or dying ʻōhiʻa trees with dead leaves still attached on O‘ahu to OISC at: oisc@hawaii.edu  (Photos are helpful)

Surveying 20,000 acres of forest on Oahu. using helicopter mounted camera system designed by UH-Hilo, Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residents and visitors can help protect our remaining ʻōhiʻa forests with the following actions:

  • Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Open wounds on ʻōhiʻa are an entry point for disease spores. The disease can also spread from tree to tree on machetes or other tools.
  • Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island.
  • Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or vegetation, especially from areas known to have ROD.
  • Clean your hiking boots/gear/tools. Scrub off all dirt and spray boot soles and tools with 70% rubbing alcohol, and wash your clothes in hot water and use a dryer to ensure the disease is not spread on boots and clothing.
  • Wash your vehicle if driving near ʻōhiʻa forests. The disease can remain alive and infectious in soil, so wash all dirt off vehicles.

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death has now been detected on Hawai‘ Island, Maui, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu since the fungal disease was first discovered in 2014. To date, the more aggressive form of the disease has not been found on Maui or O‘ahu, and is extremely limited on Kaua‘i.

Contact Us

Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)
Office: (808) 266-7994
Fax: (808) 266-7995

OISC Manager: Rachel Neville
E-mail: oiscmgr@hawaii.edu
OISC Outreach Specialist: Erin Bishop
E-mail: oisc@hawaii.edu

Pest Hotline: 808-643-PEST (7378)
Report a Pest Online