Residents divided over strawberry guava issue - What do you think??

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Permalink Reply by Sydney Ross Singer on January 12, 2009 at 7:59am: There are many things wrong with this proposed insect release. First, strawberry guava is desired by many residents, and the scale insect will attack everyone's strawberry guava plants. It will turn this ornamental fruit tree into an ugly, nearly fruitless weed. The government should be protecting this tree, not attacking it. Second, the scale insect can evolve to attack other tree species, and already is known to attack 5 species of guava. Insects are known to evolve in a short period of time (decades), and once these scale insects explode in population, who knows what else they will attack. Thirdly, this scale insect will not solve the strawberru guava issue in the native forests, since the trees will still be there, just sick and with much less fruit. As the leaves fall of the infested trees, invasive grasses and other less desirable plants will take over. The best thing to do is increase the use of this valuable resource. Strawberry guava can be used as biofuel and food. We need to use our resources, not destroy them.
For more information, please see the website www.SaveTheGuava.com.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Russell Ruderman on June 15, 2009 at 9:55am: The forest ecosystem is more important than any invasive, foreign species.
Protect the unique Hawaiian ecosystem, by controlling aggressive threats such as Guava.
The native species, including the birds that depend on native trees and plants, have nowhere else to go.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tanya Aynessaian on June 17, 2009 at 11:03am: Waiwi is not a native species. Our delicate Hawaii ecosystem must be protected. A solution is necessary. Sidney, nice flair for the dramatic - the scale insect will not destroy the strawberry guava, but rather slow down its growth. They are extremely aggressive and take over the native forest.; ▶ Reply to This