The Change
The two-lined spittlebug (Prosapium coelata), first detected on Hawaii Island in 2016, has rapidly spread, becoming a significant threat to the island's agricultural sector, particularly its cattle industry. While initial impacts were localized, recent assessments indicate a substantial increase in infestation levels across vast tracts of grazing land. This widespread presence degrades pasture quality by feeding on valuable forage grasses, reducing their nutritional content and growth. The consequence is a direct increase in operational costs for ranchers who must supplement feed or face reduced herd productivity and health. This environmental shift presents a clear and present danger to the economic sustainability of cattle operations.
Who's Affected
Agriculture & Food Producers
- Cattle Ranchers: Face diminished pasture carrying capacity, leading to higher feed acquisition costs or reduced herd size/yield. This directly impacts profitability, potentially by 10-25% annually depending on infestation severity and mitigation strategies. Reduced forage quality can also negatively affect herd health and reproduction rates. The timeframe for significant impact is immediate; ranchers observing pasture degradation should act within the next 3-6 months.
- Feed Suppliers: May see increased demand for supplemental feed, but also potential disruptions if local forage production declines significantly.
- Landowners with Agricultural Leases: May experience pressure on lease terms if tenant ranchers face unsustainable operating costs due to the spittlebug.
Second-Order Effects
Escalating spittlebug infestations → Degraded pasture quality on Hawaii Island → Increased rancher reliance on imported supplemental feed (higher costs, potential supply chain risks) → Reduced profitability for cattle operations → Potential decrease in local beef supply → Upward pressure on local beef prices for consumers → Reduced competitiveness of Hawaiian beef against imports → Potential strain on ancillary businesses (e.g., butchers, meat processors) that rely on local supply.
What to Do
Cattle ranchers on Hawaii Island must develop and implement a multi-pronged strategy to address the spittlebug infestation. Given the current trajectory and potential for further degradation, immediate action is critical to preserve profitability and operational capacity.
- Assess Infestation Levels: Conduct thorough pasture surveys to map the extent and severity of the spittlebug across your grazing lands. This will inform the targeted application of control measures. [Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture data and extension services.]
- Explore Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies:
- Biological Control: Investigate the introduction or augmentation of natural predators, if available and approved by regulatory bodies. Research into specific parasitoids or entomopathogenic fungi effective against two-lined spittlebugs is ongoing. Consult with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) for current research and recommendations.
- Cultural Practices: Implement grazing management techniques that can help plants recover. This may include rotational grazing to allow pastures to regrow more vigorously or resting heavily infested areas. Adjusting stocking rates to match reduced forage availability is crucial.
- Chemical Control: Consider carefully targeted insecticide applications using products approved for pasture use in Hawaii, prioritizing those with lower environmental impact and specific efficacy against spittlebugs. Consult with agricultural extension agents for product recommendations and application guidelines to minimize non-target effects.
- Diversify Forage Sources: Explore planting more resilient, spittlebug-tolerant forage species that can better withstand infestation. This may require investment in new seed varieties and adaptation of land management practices. [Source: University of Hawaii CTAHR research.]
- Review Feed Supply Chains: Secure reliable contracts for supplemental feed. Evaluate the potential for utilizing alternative local feed sources if possible, though current trends suggest increased reliance on imports given the widespread pasture degradation.
- Financial Planning and Risk Management: Re-evaluate budgets to account for increased feed costs and potential reductions in herd size or productivity. Explore potential government assistance programs, grants, or low-interest loans available for agricultural disaster mitigation through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
- Collaborate and Share Information: Engage with other ranchers, agricultural associations, and research institutions to share findings, best practices, and coordinate mitigation efforts. Collective action can be more effective in managing large-scale pest issues.
