LIHUE — While her sights are set on the White House, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is still working to safeguard her home state against an invasive bug that’s targeting grasslands and starting to impact the cattle industry on Hawaii Island.
It’s the invasive Cercopoidea, or spittlebug — little bugs known to hide in self-made piles of foam — so far confirmed only in a specific place on Hawaii Island.
Gabbard has partnered with Rep. Ed Case to forward the Spittlebug Act in Congress, HR 5362, which would authorize grant money for research and development on how to combat the bugs before they gain a foothold on the island.
“Spittlebugs threaten our precious ecosystems by damaging our farms, agricultural production, and the environment. While a spittlebug infestation has already negatively affected our grasslands in West Hawaii, other states across the country also face the challenge posed by this invasive species,” said Gabbard. “My bill will support efforts to control this invasive species, find new ways in which we can protect our environment, and help protect our economy.”
Ray Kahaunaele, with Kauai Invasive Species Committee, confirmed Tuesday the spittlebug hasn’t yet made a presence on Kauai — at least it hasn’t yet been reported — but “it is causing havoc to pasture lands on the west side of the island and they are trying to contain the spread into other areas.”
Studies conducted by the University of Hawaii beginning in 2016 have shown that a spittlebug infestation initiates a chain reaction that begins with the ravaging of pasture grasses, creating an opportunity for invasive grasses to grow rampant.
These invasive grasses lower the quality of the pasture lands rendering it unproductive for livestock grazing.
The latest report from November 2019 found about 142,468 acres of pasturelands infested with spittlebug, compared to 2,000 acres in September 2016.
Across the country, the spittlebug is ravishing forage and turf grasses on public and private lands.
KISC and other invasive species committees throughout Hawaii have a list of actions you can take to stop the spread of invasive species from island to island. One of those main actions is to clean your gear after hiking and traveling through areas known to be home to invasive species
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com
I don’t see any picture of what a spittlebug looks like in the article. What’s the reason for not including a picture so folks know what to look for?