Wasps could fight fruit flies
HONOLULU (AP) — A tiny wasp that attacks harmful Mediterranean fruit flies could be released in Hawaii.
The University of Hawaii applied to a state agency for permission to release wasps to attack the pest, also known as “medflies,” that causes millions of dollars in damage to crops.
“They cause direct economic damage by reducing yield, they increase farm costs (labor and insecticides) and they lead to expensive post-harvest quarantine treatments of produce for export markets,” university researcher Russell Messing said.
The gnat-size wasp is from Kenya. Fopius ceratitivorus can’t sting humans; however, it lays eggs in the young of the Mediterranean fruit fly, and the wasp larvae eat the young fly, according to university researchers.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch could issue the permit to release the wasp in Hawaii.
An environmental assessment by the university concluded the wasp would cause no significant impact. The findings are on the state Office of Environmental Quality Control website, and the deadline for public comment is Oct. 23. The state Board of Agriculture would have to approve release of the wasp.
Messing imported the wasp into quarantine and for several years conducted tests on it.
He worked with colleagues from Florida and Texas conducting studies in Kenyan coffee fields.
Domestic abuse
focus of hearing
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police and social service providers will brief state lawmakers this week about domestic violence.
Attorneys Loretta Sheehan and Nicole Edwards Masuda from the Domestic Violence Action Center will provide an overview of domestic violence laws.
Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is expected to talk about police response to domestic violence calls. State House and Senate committees will have a joint meeting for the briefing today.
The meeting comes amid public criticism of the Honolulu Police Department’s handling of a case involving a police sergeant accused of beating his girlfriend.
Sen. Will Espero said many lawmakers have raised concerns about the policies and procedures in place when officers respond to domestic violence calls.
