KAPAA, Kauai >> Plants, bugs and other pests will be in the spotlight at the first Hawaii Invasive Pest Symposium on April 20-21 at the Courtyard Marriott at Coconut Beach.

Hosted by the University of Hawaii, the symposium will bring together those who target different aspects of invasive species management to learn about activities and advances in the subject.

Sharing new information and techniques will be helpful for organizations such as the Kauai Invasive Species Committee, which needs a “constant flow of new science to improve local control actions,” said Bill Lucey of KISC.

“New management methods derived from the research community include biocontrols, life history research and remote detection strategies such as eDNA or satellite mapping,” he said. “These are just some of the techniques that are constantly evolving to help program efficiency.”

The symposium costs $90 for the weekend’s speakers and workshops.

Included in the lineup are John McHugh of the state Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industry Division, James Cuda of the UH School of Natural Resources and the Environment and Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, and Michael Melzer of UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Techniques to identify and manage coffee berry borer and pesticide recommendations and evaluations also will be presented.

Click here to purchase tickets.