Alumni News

If getting to know your professors and classmates wasn’t difficult before Covid… it still isn’t! All graduate students, faculty, and staff of the Dept. of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences are invited to the TPSS Grad Student Orientation and Pau Hana on Friday, August 27^th, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Magoon Research Station (2717 Woodlawn Dr.), just a few minutes walk from UH Mānoa campus. “As this is our new grad students’ first introduction to the program, we need all of our current grad students, faculty and staff to attend – even for part of the time – to make them feel welcome and part of our TPSS ‘ohana,” says Ken Leonhardt. “Food and beverages will be provided, along with an informal tour of the Magoon facility. We look forward to seeing you there.”

To help the TPSS Grad Program Committee and TPSS GSO plan the event, please confirm your attendance (guests are welcome) and whether you can contribute your culinary expertise to the catered menu. Water and sodas will be provided but feel free to bring your own preferred beverage.

For questions, please contact Ken.

“You want to change the world? Change human brains. If you muster people in the right way, if you catch the right angle, amazing things are possible." Catch more from renowned botanist Dr. Arthur Medeiros as he discusses how learning about native plants of Hawai'i is critical to preserving the Native Hawaiian culture and biota. At this free, online event, Dr. Medeiros will also cover how communities are restoring native ecosystems in Hawaiʻi. Understanding the history and use of these plants may enhance skills and a sense of pride in Hawaiʻi’s uniqueness. “We are excited to announce this free webinar about Ecological Restoration in Hawai'i,” says Hannah Lutgen of Extension. “Please join us!”

Since 2016, Mark Thorne and Mark Wright have waged war on the invasive Twoline Spittlebug. The invasive pest is devasting rangelands on the Big Island, which is a concern for both the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences and the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. Recently, Mark T. was interviewed for a Hawaiʻi News Now segment featuring CTAHR’s efforts to contain the pest. A separate KHON2 report also showed images of the CTAHR research team doing field work. “The best we can do to manage the spread, at this point, is to find ways to reduce the Twolined Spittlebug populations to levels below thresholds that inflict catastrophic damage on rangeland resources,” he says. “This should also help slow the spread of the pest into other areas that not yet affected by the pest.”

He adds, “Currently, our research has focused on understanding the biology and ecology of the pest on pastureland, carrying out host-plant resistance experiments on an array of forage grasses to determine which are susceptible or resistant to Twolined Spittlebug adult feeding. We’re also developing integrated Pest Management strategies, including intensive grazing management to reduce suitable feeding and egg laying habitat for adults and nymphs, coupled with strategic use of pesticides and revegetation with grasses resistant to Twolined Spittlebug feeding.”

Mark T. and Mark W. are also investigating an “entomopathogenic” fungus – indigenous to Hawaii – that may affect the spittlebugs. A few years back, they observed dead Twolined Spittlebug adults that had been infected by the fungus. They collected samples and sent them in for analysis.

“Since that time, we have observed an increased rate and a wider spatial occurrence of infection of Twolined Spittlebug adults from this fungus,” he says. “We are hopeful this naturally occurring biocontrol can help throttle down the population growth of the pest. Additionally, we are investigating ways that we may harvest and potentially domesticate the fungus for use as a commercial biocontrol.”

Get up close and personal with ants, termites, roaches, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, lice, and ticks! Before you flinch, consider that the more you know about insects, the more you’ll understand ways to control or prevent them. And one option is, “Medical & Urban Entomology,” which will start this Fall from the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. The new 3-credit hybrid course will explore the biology, identification, ecology, behavior, health and economic impacts of urban pests and medically-important insects. Students will learn about insects associated with homes and structures and environmentally-friendly or sustainable ways to manage them with minimal insecticide application.

But wait, there’s more!

Lectures will also cover the role of insects and other arthropods as vectors of diseases. This will include their biology, impact of pests on human populations, the clinical signs and symptoms of resultant diseases, and pest prevention/control approaches, in order to improve human health, well-being, and environmental health.

All majors are welcome. Watch this INTRO VIDEO for more information, and contact Jia-Wei Tay if any questions.

PEPS 463 (CRN: 88203) will meet on Fridays 10:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. (in-person then online synchronous and asynchronous)

Join host Roshan Manandhar of Extension for the next edition of the amazingly popular Invasive Pest Mini-Conferences. Special guests will give talks on a wide range of invasive pests that are currently causing problems in the Mainland and could represent potential threats to Hawaiʻi. Speakers include:

• Dr. Michael Klein of the USDA, ARS/Ohio State University. Dr. Klein will discuss the Japanese beetle, a polyphagous pest of global concern.
• Cassie Cichorz of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Cassie will highlight the Asian Giant Hornet response in Washington state.
• Dr. Marc Hughes of the USDA/CTAHR. Dr. Hughes will discuss the potential threat of the Laurel wilt disease of Avocado in Hawaiʻi.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about potential threats of invasive pests, their responses, and best-management practices from expert speakers,” says Roshan. “Join us September 1st at 9:30 a.m. sharp!”

Register today. For questions, please contact Roshan.