Scientists Step up Battle to Save Wiliwili
Jan TenBruggencate
Honolulu Advertiser
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Honolulu (Hawaii):
Hawai'i researchers and plant experts are working in laboratories, gardens, native forests and soon even in Africa toward a common goal of saving the embattled Hawaiian wiliwili tree, which is being threatened across the state by a mysterious bug called the erythrina gall wasp.The almost microscopic wasps appeared in Hawai'i only this year and have invaded all the main islands.
They are soon expected to be everywhere wiliwili is found in the wild landscape.Some botanists say a biological control — a disease or another insect that attacks the wasp — is the wiliwili's best hope, but state entomologists say it could be years before such a remedy could be approved for release, even if one is found soon.
Dec 17, 2005
Jan TenBruggencate
Honolulu Advertiser
________________
Honolulu (Hawaii):
Hawai'i researchers and plant experts are working in laboratories, gardens, native forests and soon even in Africa toward a common goal of saving the embattled Hawaiian wiliwili tree, which is being threatened across the state by a mysterious bug called the erythrina gall wasp.The almost microscopic wasps appeared in Hawai'i only this year and have invaded all the main islands.
They are soon expected to be everywhere wiliwili is found in the wild landscape.Some botanists say a biological control — a disease or another insect that attacks the wasp — is the wiliwili's best hope, but state entomologists say it could be years before such a remedy could be approved for release, even if one is found soon.
Dec 17, 2005
