KAUAI, Hawaii (Island News) – A report to the Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC) last month led to the collection of the first live ramie moth caterpillar on Kauai.
Ramie moth caterpillars are known for their voracious appetite for māmaki leaves and pose a threat to native invertebrates like the Kamehameha butterfly and native snails. They can also feed on other endemic nettles, potentially defoliating entire plants.
The first detection of the ramie moth in Hawaii was on Maui in 2018, followed by detections on Hawaii Island in 2020 and Oahu in 2025. Community members are urged to watch for the pest, as eggs and caterpillars may have spread via host plants, while adults can disperse through flight.
Early detection is crucial to prevent the rapid spread of the ramie moth into native forests. Residents are encouraged to take a picture and report sightings of the moth or its caterpillars at this link.
This situation is being managed with the help of KISC, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The Hawaii Department of Health has identified travel-related cases of both Zika and dengue viruses on Oahu, urging mosquito control to prevent local spread.
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