Understanding Pest Control in Hawaii

Janice Matsunaga, a taxonomic entomologist, explains her role in identifying potential new pests in Hawaii. She describes the process of examining reports and photos, contacting reporters for more information, and confirming pest species. Depending on the pest type, different field crews may be involved. She emphasizes the impact of invasive species on agriculture and the importance of public involvement in buying local and reporting unusual pests to protect Hawaii.

What is Janice Matsunaga's role in the Hawaii Department of Agriculture?

• Soil Scientist

• Agricultural Economist

• Plant Pathologist

• Taxonomic Entomologist

What does Janice Matsunaga do when she receives a report of a potential new pest?

• Immediately eradicates the pest

• Contacts the reporter for more information

• Ignores the report

• Sends the report to another department

What is the next step if a pest is confirmed to be new to Hawaii?

• The pest is immediately eradicated

• The pest is ignored

• The pest is sent to a laboratory for further study

• The Department of Agriculture conducts field surveys

How do invasive species affect farmers and homeowners in Hawaii?

• They improve soil quality

• They create challenges in growing fruits and vegetables

• They help increase crop yields

• They have no impact

What is one way the public can help prevent the introduction of new pests?

• Use more pesticides

• Ignore pest sightings

• Import plants from other states

• Buy local plants and products

What risk is associated with purchasing plants from outside the state?

• Faster growth

• Higher prices

• Introduction of invasive pests and diseases

• Better quality plants

Why is it important to report odd or invasive pest species?

• To increase the number of pests

• To help protect Hawaii's environment

• To reduce the workload of the Department of Agriculture

• To encourage more imports

Who is responsible for protecting Hawaii from invasive species?

• Everyone

• Only scientists

• Only farmers

• Only the government

What is the role of the public in managing invasive species?

• To ignore them

• To report them

• To encourage their spread

• To import more species