Without natural enemies, Miconia calvescens poses a grave threat to Hawaii's native ecosystems and biodiversity. One potential candidate for classical biocontrol is Cryptorhynchus malastomae, a stem-boring weevil known to feed on M. calvescens in its native Costa Rica. Adults feed on new stems, petioles, leafveins and lamina, whereas larvae mine the stem until pupation. Adults and larvae can seriously damage and kill small M. calvescens. Preliminary host testing indicates C. melastomae is family-specific. Since Hawaii has no native melastomes, a family-specific insect is suitable for biocontrol. Cryptorhynchus malastomae will soon be sent to Hawaii to undergo further testing under quarantine conditions,