Liko Nā Pilina Queensland Longhorn Beetle Biocontrol

Liko Nā Pilina is collaborating with USDA-ARS, BIISC, Hawaiʻi Army National Guard and others to test a biocontrol method for Queensland Longhorn Beetle (QLB), an invasive boring beetle that targets kukui, ʻulu, alaheʻe, and a number of other plants. Indigenous nematodes (Heterorhabditis indica) are known to target and kill the larvae of QLB. We are testing the effectiveness of the nematodes and assisting BIISC in distributing beetles and guidance on treatment out to the public. We have been working on a process of rearing nematodes in the lab, and then injecting these nematodes into trees with signs of QLB to prevent the larvae from boring through and killing the tree. This biocontrol is a crucial aspect of forest care as QLB have been killing many larger canopy trees of kuku and ʻulu, which in turn makes the forest more susceptible to weeds.