Committee advances funding for research into nematode biocontrol to fight Queensland longhorned beetle

The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems voted to pass HB2139, which would allocate funds to the University of Hawaii to study effective treatment methods to reduce populations of the Queensland longhorned beetle (QLB).

The bill’s backers said the beetle is killing canopy species and threatening farms and restoration sites across East Hawaii. "This research will contribute to reducing QLB populations in East Hawaii and support growers in protecting their trees using a nontoxic method," said Emma Steerhoff, lead ecological technician for the Pilina Forest Restoration Project at the University of Hawaii, who testified in favor of the measure.

Why it matters: Testimony presented detailed accounts of ecological and economic damage. Witnesses said QLB has caused widespread mortality of kukui and ulu at restoration sites and damaged cacao, citrus and avocado trees, increasing the risk to both native ecosystems and commercial growers.

Researchers described a locally isolated nematode treatment that can be injected into infected trees and attacks QLB larvae. "These are also nontoxic, so they're safe to their human handlers and other organisms like cattle," Steerhoff said, summarizing laboratory and field results that showed reduced or eliminated infection in treated trees.

University scientists and restoration practitioners told the committee the approach is promising but labor intensive and not yet scalable. ‘‘We need funding to increase nematode rearing so that it can be scaled to match community need,’’ said Beth Shapiro of Puna, who has worked with field treatments and testified about restoration‑site recoveries.

Some committee members pushed on whether the bill’s appropriation would be sufficient for the work proposed; researchers said the funds are intended for research and initial scaling, with larger production and deployment requiring further investment if trials succeed.

The committee adopted the chair’s recommended amendments and passed the bill with amendments for further discussion. The vote record shows the chair and vice chair voted to pass; no recorded noes were raised during the roll call.

What comes next: The bill now moves forward with the committee’s amendments and will appear in subsequent reporting and hearings as the research program and production needs are refined.