Report Title:

Nettle Caterpillar; Agriculture

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to control or eradicate the Nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta moth) on the island of Maui.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2785

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO CONTROL OR ERADICATE THE NETTLE CATERPILLAR (DARNA PALLIVITTA MOTH) ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the nettle caterpillar is the larva of a small moth called Darna pallivitta, native to Southeast Asia.  The nettle caterpillar has infested several areas on the island of Maui including the Haiku region.

     The nettle caterpillar is considered a dangerous invasive specie because a large infestation can cause serious damage to many varieties of plants, including the Hawaiian ti, palm trees, lilies, and mondo grass.  The nettle caterpillar also poses a serious threat to Maui agricultural operations, including local nurseries and other types of farming enterprises.

     Additionally, the caterpillar's painful sting, similar to that of a Portuguese man-of-war, has caused extreme discomfort to many Maui residents and threatens to affect the island's tourism industry.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to control or exterminate the nettle caterpillar on Maui.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to control or eradicate the nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta moth) on Maui; provided that the appropriation is intended to be separate and distinct from any other appropriation or effort, and irrespective of any eradication priority, by the department of agriculture to control or eradicate invasive species and is to be expended exclusively for activities on the island of Maui to control or eradicate the nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta moth).

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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