Invasive stinging caterpillars reemerge in Hawaii as authorities release thousands of wasps to counteract them (opens original article in a new tab)

Hawaii authorities are using parasitic wasps to control invasive stinging nettle caterpillars, which cause painful stings and plant damage, as residents report challenges in managing their populations.

• State agriculture officials are deploying thousands of parasitic wasps to combat stinging nettle caterpillar infestations in Hawaii
• The invasive caterpillars, originally from Southeast Asia, cause painful stings and damage to tropical plants
• Residents report difficulty managing caterpillar populations due to their small size and widespread presence
• Biological control methods using Taiwanese parasitoid wasps have been used since 2010 to target the pests