Entomology

American Samoa is blessed with a tropical climate that's as favorable to many insect pests as it is to people. The American Samoa Community College entomology laboratory provides research and extension services to help the community protect plant health, human health, and the fragile island environment.

Projects and Programs

Community-based, targeted source reduction for control of mosquito vectors of filariasis and dengue and xenomonitoring to support the American Samoa Department of Health’s filariasis elimination program
Biological control of Seychelles scale insect in the Manu’a Islands and urbicola scale on Rose Island
Plant clinic, operated jointly with the ASCC plant pathology and horticulture labs, providing diagnoses and recommendations for specific pest problems; member of National Plant Diagnostic Network
Exotic pest detection surveys, including exotic fruit fly, ant, and citrus and coconut pest surveys with the American Samoa Department of Agriculture
Endemic Samoan swallowtail butterfly conservation with the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Park of American Samoa
Facilitating research experiences for high school students and undergraduates with the American Samoa Department of Education and the University of Hawai’i through the Short-Term Research Experience to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) program of the National Institutes of Health’s Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Samoa science fair and science symposium
Survey and control of invasive ants, focusing primarily on the recently arrived little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata
Collaboration with American Samoa Department of Agriculture in support of plant quarantine and biosecurity
Technical support for apiculture and removal of pest honey bees

Loi Afi La'itiiti i Amerika Samoa - New Video on Little Fire Ants in American Samoa

In this video, hear from two farmers on how their lives have been impacted by Little Fire Ants (loi afi la'itiiti), especially farming and working on their land.

Since its detection in 2018, Little Fire Ants (loi afi la’itiiti) continue to be a threat to American Samoa. These invasive ants are considered to be one of the world’s worst invasive species due to its painful, itchy stings and the harm it can cause to people, animals, agriculture and the environment. We need everybody’s help to find and control Little Fire Ants (loi afi la’itiiti) before they spread throughout American Samoa.

If you think you may have Little Fire Ants (loi afi la’itiiti) on your land, please call the American Samoa Community College – Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources Division (Land Grant) at 699-1575.