05-21-2008, 10:54 AM
A little further reading here led me to the scientific name of this bug they want to release:
Tectococcus Ovatus
In this Report if you read the conclusion of the testing that was done in Brazil, it states:
In the absence of its natural enemies Tectococcus ovatus may be very effective as a biological control agent because heavy infestations result in premature leaf drop. In some instances, complete defoliation of the tree has been observed.....This agent, however, will be not able to control strawberry
guava alone because it is most effective only at high elevations of the host plant's range. This is a particularly attractive Characteristic for Hawaiian forest managers because the remnants of native forest are essentially confined to upper elevations.
So what about all the *edit* native forests found at the lower elevations? How do we use these bugs in Lower elevations?
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Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.
Tectococcus Ovatus
In this Report if you read the conclusion of the testing that was done in Brazil, it states:
In the absence of its natural enemies Tectococcus ovatus may be very effective as a biological control agent because heavy infestations result in premature leaf drop. In some instances, complete defoliation of the tree has been observed.....This agent, however, will be not able to control strawberry
guava alone because it is most effective only at high elevations of the host plant's range. This is a particularly attractive Characteristic for Hawaiian forest managers because the remnants of native forest are essentially confined to upper elevations.
So what about all the *edit* native forests found at the lower elevations? How do we use these bugs in Lower elevations?
-------
Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.