Live Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles Found On Big Island
The destructive beetles pose a serious threat to palm trees and culturally important plants in Hawaii.
Three live coconut rhinoceros beetles have been found in traps across the Waikoloa region of Hawaii island.
One beetle was detected at West Hawaii Landfill on April 15 and another two were discovered almost 6 miles away, at Waikoloa Dry Forest Reserve on April 22. They were found in traps set by the Waikoloa community and the University of Hawaii.
The highly destructive beetles are the first to be discovered since five of the invasive pest’s grubs were found inside a decaying palm tree at a Waikoloa Village property in October.
鈥淯nfortunately, detections of live adult beetles are an indication that CRB are breeding in the Waikoloa area,鈥 Department of Agriculture director Sharon Hurd said in a .
The flying beetles are known to decimate palm tree crops, eating into the tree’s hearts and killing them. They are also known to target culturally important plants and crops such as loulu palms and kalo.
DOA has sent additional staff to the Big Island to further survey the area, preempting surveys scheduled for May this year.
Hurd asked the community to pay attention to mulch and green waste, key breeding sites for the Southeast Asian beetles, as well as potential damage to palm trees.
“We need everyone’s eyes,” Hurd said.
The Big Island Invasive Species Council and DOA currently monitor more than 80 traps set in response to the October detection, laid by several agencies and community groups.
The agriculture agency and UH will deploy further traps in May, including a “new generation of smart traps,” according to the DOA release.
The October larvae sighting on Hawaii island followed initial CRB detections on Maui and Kauai in prior months. Until 2023 the insect had been isolated on Oahu for close to 10 years.
CRB were first detected at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in December 2013.
“Hawaii Grown” is funded in part by grants from the Stupski Foundation, Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.
