(AP) — An invasive plant species that is toxic to cattle and highly flammable has been found on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island. The Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald reports the plant known as “devil weed” was found on the east side of the Big Island earlier this year. The plant could harm the cattle industry and fuel future wildfires on the island. An additional concern for cattle ranchers is an invasive insect species that is also invading local pastures. The two-lined spittlebug is attracted to nutrient-rich grass that cows graze on and can devour a pasture, leaving the land open to the introduction of devil weed.

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photo credit: Oahu Invasive Species Committee