A new insect to Hawaii that could have potentially devastating effects on leafy vegetables has been found on Maui.
State agricultural officials Friday said the painted stink bug, or Bagrada hilaris, was found in a garden being tended by students at Maui Community College.
Officials are conducting a statewide survey to determine whether the insect has established itself on Maui or other parts of the state.
"We’re going out into the field, looking for damage and looking for the actual insect," said Darcy Oishi, the state biological control section chief. "It has the potential to ruin an entire crop."
Oishi said the painted stink bug likely came to Maui on a shipment of produce or other materials from California or other infested states.
The painted stink bug, a native of Africa, was first detected in Los Angeles County in June 2008 and has since spread to Southern California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Utah and West Texas.
The bug damages plants by sucking the juices of the plants with its needlelike mouth parts. Black with distinctive orange and white markings, it is about 5 to 7 millimeters long.
Oishi said the painted stink bug likes cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, radish, turnips, watercress, kale, mustard, collard greens and a variety of cabbages — including Brussels sprouts, head cabbage and Chinese cabbage.
Officials said the insect can also feed on corn, cucumbers, okra, sugar cane, papayas, potatoes, cotton, figs and some legumes, as well as a variety of weeds in the mustard family.
Last week a college student tending to her garden found the painted stink bug on her tatsoi and kai choi plants.
Officials collected 19 adults and two nymphs from the two plants.
College professor Ann Emmsley said the students were raising the plants as part of a botany course.
Emmsley said the student pointed out the insects feeding on her plants. "I thought, ‘That’s new, I’ve never seen it,’" Emmsley said.
The bugs were collected for examination, and a state Department of Agriculture entomologist confirmed the identification Oct. 17.
Officials said subsequent surveys this week have found the infestation to be limited to just the two plants, but they are continuing their investigation.
Warren Watanabe, executive director of the Maui Farm Bureau, said many farmers in Kula grow vegetables susceptible to the painted stink bug.
"It’s one of the major crops," he said. "It could be a problem."
Anyone who sees the painted stink bug is asked to call 643-PEST.
