Big Island, Hawaii: Beware the stinging nettle caterpillar
Since it found its way to the Big Island of Hawaii — most likely in 2001 via a palm-seedlings shipment from Taiwan — stinging nettle caterpillars (Darna pallivitta) have been up to no good. The invasive critters have been spotted on over 30 different types of plants, including palms, grasses and weeds, and recently, the Honolulu Advertiser reports, they’ve been found in Pualani Park in Kailua-Kona.
Why all the fuss? First, the caterpillar relentlessly feeds upon — and thus, damages — plants. This is what concerns the nursery industry on the island. In addition, it has a wicked sting.
According to entomologist Patrick Conant on this video recorded last year, contact with the caterpillars’ spines can cause “intense itching that can go on for hours, days, weeks,” swelling or blisters, or even more severe reactions.
A University of Hawaii at Manoa document on the stinging nettle caterpillar explains that the spines release a histamine-containing irritant, which causes the potentially strong reaction on human skin.
If you get stung by the pesky pest, here’s what you do, according to the university resource:
— Cleanse the affected area with soap and water.
— Itching and swelling might be relieved with an oral antihistamine and topical hydrocortisone cream.
— If you are stung in the eye or experience difficulty with your breathing, get to the emergency room immediately.
As for Pualani Park, it will likely be closed on Monday, April 27, so that officials can treat the area with insecticide, according to the Honolulu Advertiser article.
— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times
[Photo credit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa]
5 Comments on “Big Island, Hawaii: Beware the stinging nettle caterpillar”
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April 25th, 2009 at 7:33 am
This is what I call half a story. Caterpillars do not stay caterpillars forever - they metamorphose into six-legged winged insects. Please - a little more about the natural history of this species.
April 25th, 2009 at 11:17 am
First of all, what is Hawaii doing IMPORTING palms!!!!!
April 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
The caterpillars turn into a little brownish moth. A ‘bug zapper’ is a good defense for them. They have the similar kind of toxin like jellyfish, you cannot garden without long pants and long sleeve shirt and gloves. Little kids and even my dog have been stung.
Steve,
As for importing palms, there is only ONE native palm in Hawaii. The coconut is not native. ALL other palms and pretty much most other ‘tropical’ plants were imported at one time or another.
April 26th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Here is a link to the brochure printed by the Hawai’i Dept. of Agriculture which identifies important information about this new “pest.”
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-22.pdf
April 27th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Curtailing the spread of invasive species is why the inter-island ferry is a really really bad idea.