State will release non-native moth in effort to control invasive fireweed

Hawaii will be the first to test the insect against a plant that threatens ranching

By Sarah Zoellick

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 29, 2012

~~<p>Agricultural scientists around the world will have their eyes on Hawaii next year as the state Department of Agriculture prepares to release a non-native moth in an attempt to battle an invasive plant that poses a great threat to the ranching industry.</p>
<p>Hawaii scientists will be the first to test out the Madagascan fireweed moth, Secusio extensa, as a biological population control method against fireweed, or ragwort.</p>
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Agricultural scientists around the world will have their eyes on Hawaii next year as the state Department of Agriculture prepares to release a non-native moth in an attempt to battle an invasive plant that poses a great threat to the ranching industry.

Hawaii scientists will be the first to test out the Madagascan fireweed moth, Secusio extensa, as a biological population control method against fireweed, or ragwort. Login for more...