![]() ![]() Authorities deployed around 500 pheromone-baited traps within a one-mile radius of the golf course, and are urging locals to look out for the beetle and to clear away any debris that may make for a beetle’s love nest (breeding grounds). They first turned up in December on a golf course at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, right outside of Honolulu. “This beetle is really tough, and most of the pesticides that are legal for use in Hawaii do not work on it,” said Darcy Oishi, the state Agriculture Department official in charge of containing the beetle. They make their way into the tops of coconut palms, drink the sap, eat the growing tissues, and rip into the bases of the fronds to expose the plant to disease. These bugs are large, hungry, and very difficult to kill. Pacific territory of Guam, is making it’s way towards the Hawaiian Islands. The coconut rhinoceros beetle, which has already done extensive damage to the U.S. Well with the arrival of these little buggers (pun intended), Hawaii is in the position of figuring that out! So what happens when an unwelcome guest makes it way to the Aloha state and threatens that lifelong partnership? This is also a toll-free number for neighbor islands.Hawaii and its palm trees go together like peanut butter and jelly. Suspected CRB on coconut and palm plants on all islands should be reported to HDOA’s PEST HOTLINE – 643-PEST (7378). They may also be killed by two diseases, a fungus and a virus however, both are not known to occur in Hawaii. Natural enemies of CRB include pigs, rats, ants, and some beetles, which may attack CRB eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. V-shaped cuts in the fronds and holes through the midrib are visible as leaves mature and unfold.ĬRB is native to the Asian tropics, but was accidentally introduced to western and central Pacific islands. As they bore into the crown, they cut through developing leaves, causing damage to the fronds. They damage palms by boring into the center of the crown where they injure young, growing tissue and feed on the sap. CRB larvae are white in color with a brown head. Adult CRB are dark brown in color and measure 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches long. “We have initiated the strong, coordinated efforts among HDOA, USDA, UH and other partners that will be required to effectively manage this invasive pest.”ĬRB is mainly a pest of coconut and oil palms, but may also attack other palm species. Neil Reimer, administrator for HDOA’s Plant Industry Division. “The threat of the coconut rhinoceros beetle has been a growing concern in Hawaii since it turned up in Guam in 2007,” said Dr. It is not known exactly how the beetles arrived in Hawaii. It is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, the Palaus, Fiji, Wallis, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. So far, nine adult beetles have been trapped. Since the discovery, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and the USDA-PPQ have been working jointly with the military and the University of Hawaii (UH) to survey and conduct trapping activities in the Pearl Harbor – Hickam area to determine the extent of the infestation. The coconut rhinoceros beetle, which can damage coconut trees and other palm plants, has been detected at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu.įrom a Department of Agriculture press release: ![]()
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