biocontrol

Strawberry Guava

* Invasive

Scientific Name:Psidium cattleianum

This invasive plant is very common in the forests and along hiking trails. Strawberry Guava plants have no natural enemies and forms a thick cover that smothers native species. This smothering destroys the habitat and means of food  for  many other native animals. A Study by UH shows that areas invaded with strawberry guava wastes 27% more water than Native forests.  A insect that attacks this plant has recently  been released as a biocontrol that will hopefully limit the spread of this plant. ( Image by Forest and Starr)