D3116: Re-evaluation of biocontrol agents released for Schinus terebinthfolia (Anacardiaceae) in Hawaiʻi: 70 years later

Schinus terebinthfolia (Anacardiaceae) is locally known in Hawaiʻi as Christmas berry or wilelaiki. This shrub is native to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay and was introduced to Hawaiʻi prior to 1911 for ornamental purposes. Since its introduction, it has spread across all the major Hawaiian Islands where it is found in dry lowland to mesic forest areas. In 1954, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture identified three potential biological control agents from Brazil which were released to control Christmas berry: Lithraeus atronotatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Episimus unguiculus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Crasimorpha infuscata (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with establishment of two of the agents: L. atronotatus and E. unguiculus. Since its release, E. unguiculus has provided minimal control of S. terebinthfolia stands in Hawaiʻi. Partial life table sudies were conducted at two sites on Oʻahu to determine mortality factors to identify potential key factors limiting the success of this biological control agent. This work is part of a larger study to determine factors that impact success and failure of biological control agents of weeds and insects. Broader implications of this study will be discussed in the context of improving future work on biological control in Hawaiʻi.