![]() ![]() Green waste provides an optimal breeding environment for the beetle and residents on all islands are urged to check their compost bins and green waste for beetle larvae. More than 3,000 beetle traps have been deployed around O‘ahu to track infestation areas. The traps are used for early detection of beetle infestations. Surveillance for the beetles has been ongoing on all neighbor islands, including Kaua‘i, where pheromone traps have been used for more than five years in strategic locations at Nāwiliwili Harbor and Līhu‘e Airport. ![]() “With these new detections on Kaua‘i, we are focusing a rapid response toward eradication.” “Much has been learned over the past years about the CRB life cycle, detection, management, containment and treatment protocols,” said Helmuth Rogg, administrator of the state Plant Industry Division. The University of Hawai‘i also has also been an important collaborator in the beetle program, leading the effort to develop new traps and using drone technology to apply insecticides. Department of Agriculture and the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. Partner agencies in the response also include the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. It also has led to the indefinite closure of green waste disposal at the Līhuʻe refuse transfer station. Review of the possible pathways of introduction of the beetle to uninfested areas.Possible deployment of beetle-detector dogs after initial surveys by the response team.Possible fumigation of green waste at the transfer station.Deployment of additional traps at 25 priority sites, including the use of cameras and ultraviolet traps.Conducting visual surveys within a one-mile buffer zone of the first detections. ![]() “We want to make sure this does not happen on Kaua‘i and we appreciate the assistance of partner agencies and all the research that has gone into CRB eradication and control.” “When was first detected on O‘ahu about 10 years ago, early eradication efforts were hampered by the lack of funding and lack of information about the pest,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. And, four members of the beetle response team on O‘ahu will be deployed to Kaua‘i this week to help. It now will expand the use of its incident management system to include Kaua‘i, with staffing from the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee. The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has been systematically dealing with the issue since the coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected on O‘ahu in 2013. It is still not known how the beetles arrived in Hawai‘i. It is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, Palau, Fiji, Wallis, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. Dead trees then become a safety hazard as they may fall unexpectedly after the trunk rots, potentially resulting in bodily injury or property damage. Tree mortality after a beetle attack has been reported to be anywhere from 10 to 50%. Secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens may also attack the wounds caused by the beetle, thereby killing the tree as well. If the beetle kills or damages the growing point of the palm, the tree may die. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major pest of palm trees, especially coconut palms. New, unopened fronds are damaged in this way and when fully opened, may break and fall unexpectedly. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is a serious pest of palm trees, primarily coconut palms, because the adult beetles bore into the crowns of the palms to feed on the tree’s sap. On June 2, survey crews found a dead beetle in another trap nearby. On May 31, a survey crew from the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee found a live beetle in one of the traps near the green waste transfer station. These are the first detections of the beetles ( Oryctes rhinoceros) outside of O‘ahu. Two coconut rhinoceros beetles have been found on Kaua‘i, in traps near a green waste transfer station close to the Līhu‘e Airport. Coconut rhinoceros beetle is an invasive species which kills palms and was recently found for the first time on Kauaʻi. ![]()
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