Pacific Ant Program
The Pacific Ant Program (PAP) is a project funded by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and was carried out by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawaiʻi (DOFAW), and the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawaiʻi (PCSU). The aim of the program is to provide useful information relating to prevention, surveillance, identification, and management of invasive ants in the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawaiʻi. Visit our Pacific Ant Program page to access the ant taxonomy and survey manuals developed for the program.
Project Coordinator
Melissa Sprecher
DLNR-DOFAW
Melissa.I.Sprecher@hawaii.gov
Project Manager
Cas Vanderwoulde
Hawaiʻi Ant Lab
Cas@littlefireants.com
Key objectives to this
program are to:
Establish and maintain an early detection survey program at the points of entry and at-risk forest habitats.
Provide training in ant identification and survey techniques utilizing GPS and simple desktop mapping options.
Develop an island-specific emergency response plan for Hawaiʻi.
Develop web-based resources that allow for quick access to relevant resources.
Ensure policy and regulatory frameworks are in place to respond to incursions.
Incorporate ant response activities with island invasive species action plans, and facilitate inter-agency cooperation and coordination.
Provide training in management of invasive ants.
Provide training in implementation of management plans in high value forest ecosystems currently impacted by invasive ant species.
