Oh, No! 😨 Not Chagas!

About 2 weeks ago I had asked for assistance in identifying a bug that showed up at the potluck at Jen & Susan's house; none of us there knew what it was. No one has responded yet; but I saw a rather concerning article about 'kissing bug' disease that showed a photo of a similar looking bug. I decided to find out more about it. 'Kissing bug' disease is more properly known as Chagas & can lead to long-term conditions that can become fatal; it is believed Charles Darwin died as a result of the long-term affects the disease can have on cardiac tissue. Fortunately, the bug we found is not a triatomine or conenose bug; it is more likely a nymph of the Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). It is obvious to me they are not the same insect. A big clue are the antennae; the party crasher had thick antennae about as long as its body, while the kissing bug's antennae are more slender & only about half the length of the body. And the hind leg of the WCSB also has a flared portion that the kissing bug does not. Also kissing bugs are found only as far north as California; Washington is apparently too cold for them. So to all who were at the potluck, rest easy; you were not exposed to Chagas! Not that you ever thought that you might have been...

Most likely a Western Conifer Seed Bug nymph.

This morning I went to check out the fitness center at Hisaoka Gym in Kamehameha Park. Christine had told us about "new" equipment that was installed at it during a meeting about a month ago; it was the Mauna Lani resort's old equipment that they donated, then replaced with truly brand new stuff. This is the 1st opportunity I have had to check it out. There are 3 machines that I am comfortable using: the Seated Chest, Seated Row, & Leg Curl. Right now my favorite machine is the rowing machine. There are 2 machines I did not get a chance to try today; I will check them out on my next visit.

I'm going to try to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.

Jan is in background on Leg Extension machine.

Info screen on rowing machine.

I am definitely skipping the Leg Extension machine; the smallest person it is sized to fit is 4" taller than I am! And with the repositioning I need to do in order to use it, I can feel a strain on both my knees & my back; I can adjust my position on the others without hurting myself. I can't use the Biceps Curl machine because I cannot adjust the mechanics enough to be able to lift the weight; I know I can handle the lightest weight with the proper grasp but not if I am only able to use my fingertips! 

Feels bad on my back & my knees.

My arms aren't long enough; I can only reach it with my fingertips!

Shortly after I got back, 2 stray dogs showed up outside the fence. The black & white female barked & growled at Moʻo through the fence. When Moʻo got closer to sniff her, she lunged & snapped at Moʻo. I chased her away after that. The white & brindled dog left as soon as I started walking towards the fence. Still don't know who they belong to & why she is allowed to roam when she tries to provoke other dogs & bite them. 

 

Just before dinner I went to the Neighborhood Watch meeting; it was held at the Kohala Senior Housing near Ainakea. There are actually 2 senior residential housing facilities, one run by the State & the other run by the County. Tony, Peter Alohalani, Susie, David, Junior, & Christine from the senior residences were there, as well as Cheryl & Kathy who are leading the Neighborhood Watch in North Kohala, Community Policing Officer McFadden, & myself. It was interesting to hear about the differences in how these adjacent residences were managed & how it has affected the number of incidents needing police intervention. It seems the County facility has a higher level of initial screening & continued management which has resulted in less issues. I left a little early for a Zoom meeting; they were discussing the next Neighborhood Watch meeting which will be a Friendsgiving Potluck in November.

I left early in order to get on a Zoom meeting. When I returned home, Moʻo had another dead chick! I say "another", because as I was leaving to go to the Neighborhood Watch meeting she was walking around with a dead chick; I took it away from her. I thought she had managed to find where I had put the 1st one, but she had not, it was a new dead chick. I looked around the yard & found 2 more! I think Henrietta must have brought them in the yard again & Moʻo found them & tried to play with them but was a little too rough. I did not see Henrietta around when I got home but I do remember hearing her  squawking in Jessie's yard about an hour or so before I left. That might have been when Moʻo found the chicks but I did not see or hear Moʻo near Henrietta at that time. (I'm sure they died recently since I saw 6 chicks with Henrietta this morning & none of the dead chicks was covered with ants.) I put the dead chicks in the compost pile & sprinkled red pepper flakes on them to deter Moʻo from trying to pull them out of the pile.

She just carried it around in her mouth.

She hasn't tried to eat any of them.

I hope the red pepper flakes keep her from trying to get them out of compost pile.

The Zoom meeting was regarding the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. It is an invasive species that was 1st found in the state in 2013 on Oʻahu. It finally made its way to Hawaiʻi Island in October 2023, presumably through human-assisted transport from Oʻahu. 

I did not know they can also infest bananas, sugarcane, kalo, & hapuʻu!

Initially found in Pearl Harbor area.

After 2 years.

After 9 years.

Now on 4 of the main islands.

Since it has been found on this island, Hawaiʻi County has partnered with other agencies to eradicate the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Since we appear to be early enough in the invasion cycle, getting control over the situation & eradicating the beetle appears to be possible. But there needs to be widespread public outreach & education in order for the eradication to be successful.

Traps help find areas CRB is spreading to.

Because they spend large part of life cycle in breeding material it is critical to control those areas.

We still have a chance at eradicating them before we reach the point of no return.

Hurricane Kiko is no longer. Sometime last night Kiko diminished in to a tropical depression. It is no longer being tracked by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

The window for the next eruptive episode at Kīlauea remains between the 17th & the 23rd.

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Marcie, Dane, Vener, & Andrew!