Just this week it was discovered that a caterpillar, native to South East Asia has made it's way to Haiku on the Valley Isle. This caterpillar is unusual looking with spines and a dark stripe running the length of it's back. It is unfortunate that this pest has made it's way to our beautiful island for a couple reasons.
- A large infestation can cause serious damage to the plants it feeds on. Our Hawaiian ti and palm trees are 2 items it eats, it is also eating the guinea grass that is growing in all the pastures and gulches on Maui. With such a large supply of food, these caterpillars can spread easily.
- There is concern that this will affect our agricultural crops here on Maui.
- The nettle caterpillar (Darna Pallivittta) has a painful sting. When one of its bristle like spines touches the skin it is similar to a Portuguese man-of-war sting.
It is believed that these pests have hitch hiked on plants being shipped from the Big Island to landscape Maui developments. Hopefully, with the communities efforts, we can get rid of this new invasive species.
Haiku is a close knit community on the north shore of Maui, it is a beautiful unspoiled area with tropical vegetation and can have fairly heavy rainfall.
More information on Haiku Real Estate
For more info on the Nettle caterpillar: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-22.pdf
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