Department of Agriculture

NR00-22 November 1, 2000 For Immediate Release

State Board of Agriculture to Review Request to Amend Import Rules Lists to Allow Importation of Certain Insects for Biological Control

Honolulu – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has received a request to place seven insects on the Conditionally Approved List under Chapter 4-71, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), “Non-Domestic Animal and Microorganism Import Rules.” The requester, a Big Island citrus grower, is seeking to release the insects in the State to control various pest insects.

The insects, Scolothrips sexmaculatus (a thrips and predator of other thrips) and Encarsia formosa (parasitic wasp for whiteflies) are currently listed on the List of Restricted Animals (Part A) which allows import, by permit, for research by universities and government agencies, exhibition in municipal zoos, and government-affiliated aquariums and other institutions for medical or scientific purposes as determined by the Board of Agriculture.

The insects, Trichogramma minutum (parasitic wasp for moths,) Chrysoperla carnea (aphid predator,) Orius insidiosus (aphid predator,) Chilocorus circumdatus (a ladybug and predator of aphids and other insects) and Geocoris punctipes (a big-eyed bug and general insect predator) are not currently listed on any import list and, therefore, their import is prohibited. If approved, the requested amendments to delete Scolothrips sexmaculatus and Encarsia formosa from the List of Restricted Animals (Part A) and add all seven above-mentioned insects to the List of Conditionally Approved Animals will allow import of all of these insects, by permit, for private and commercial use for release into the State. HDOA takes no position on the merits of the requested amendments at this time.

The requested changes are being submitted through an expedited rule amendment process authorized pursuant to Act 244, Session Laws of Hawaii, 1998, and section 4-71-4.2, HAR. This expedited process provides for public notification and input through press release and publication in the Office of Environmental Quality Control bulletin, mailed notice to persons who make timely written request for advance notice of rulemaking proceedings, as well as through public meeting of the Board and its Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals. The expedited process provides for adoption of amendments through order by the Board of Agriculture and approval by the Governor. If adopted and approved, the changes will be published in daily or weekly publication(s) of statewide circulation and will go into effect 10 days following publication.

A copy of the proposed exact changes and the draft order proposed by the Board (if the requested changes are adopted) will be mailed to any interested person who requests a copy upon payment in advance of costs for photocopying, preparing and mailing the copy.* A copy of the proposed changes and the proposed Board order will also be available for review or pickup following payment in full of costs for photocopying and preparing the copy at the following HDOA Plant Quarantine Offices:

Oahu
701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-0844

Maui
635 Mua Street, Kahului, HI
Phone: (808) 873-3556

Kauai
4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue, HI
Phone: (808) 274-3071

Hawaii
16E Lanikaula Street, Hilo, HI
Phone: (808) 974-4141

HDOA is soliciting comments regarding the proposed changes mentioned above during the next 30 days. Oral or written comments may be communicated to HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch at the Oahu address or phone number shown above. Interested persons are also encouraged to attend the public meetings of the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals as well as the Board of Agriculture regarding the proposed changes. The meeting dates will be confirmed soon and those interested should contact the Plant Quarantine Branch at (808) 586-0844 for dates and times.