HONOLULU, Oct. 15 The widespread death of wiliwili trees on the Hawaiian islands is being blamed on the erythrina gall wasp, a tiny insect that was only recently discovered.
Scientists said the wasps, which originated in Africa, are causing tumors on the leaves of the trees that eventually kill the plants, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
The scientists said fully grown gall wasps are about one-third the size of a typical adult mosquito.
"It's tiny, like dust, but the damage it causes is unbelievable," said entomologist Mohsen Ramadan. He said the wasps have created one of the most serious epidemics ever caused by an invasive species in Hawaii. He said thousands of trees all over Hawaii have been victims of the tiny inspects.
State officials have proposed using eurytoma wasps, predators from Tanzania, to combat the harmful species. However, they must first determine that introducing the new species won't have adverse effects on other life in the area. Neil Reimer of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture said it could take from three months to three years to win approval for the plan.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
