Trees Cut Down In Hawaii To Fight Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

[Dr. George]

Just rec'd from a friend in HI - 150 Coconut trees going down at Pearl Harbor in the effort to stop the rhinocerous beetle - big problem they have been struggling to control before it spreads throughout the islands: Trees Down

gmp

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Hopefully it is localized and they have contained it. Once established, it is extremely difficult to eradicate an insect population.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

They need to use the microwave system they use in Europe. They can save the coconuts and kill tne beetles.

[CLINODAVE]

Not good news. The removal of the trees acknowledges establishment and breeding of the beetles. I sure hope that the interviewee in the video is correct in his assessment that the insect can in fact be contained and ultimately eradicated.

But what if it isn't? Is there still room for optimism? These beetles are native to SE Asia where palms, of course, continue to thrive. Even other Pacific islands where the insect has established itself continue to support native palm populations. Hafta be hopeful.

[DoomsDave]

There is a natural enemy.

This is as nasty as the Red Palm Weevil.

praying . . .

[Cedric]

It makes me mad these beetles are sold as pets here!!! Yes a completely insane craze for Rhino beetles amongst teenage males. Just a question of time before they become a major pest. You can walk into pet shops and see an entire range of them, various species from all over the globe.

In places like Malaysia they seem to be in balance with nature, predators and palms. The Chinese love them crushed up too which is a good thing, though Im not betting on any erections any time soon. Many are sold dead and mounted artlessly in various displays or encased in resin as they are meant to bring potency and luck to the buyer.

Thats a pity about the palms, though.

[colin Peters]

A beetle was captured just recently in a Diamond Head trap. That is only a few miles from out neighborhood. There is

a trap hanging in the street just a few houses away from mine. Hope it stays empty. The beetles would appear to be

spreading.

[akamu]

Thats bad news are they spreading to any other types of palms? Best of luck Colin thats scary stuff

[DoomsDave]

Rhino beetles, like all of the scarabs, are very fast, powerful fliers, like mini tanker planes. My understanding is they're much better fliers than weevils are.

I hope the bug police are acting and planning accordingly.

[colin Peters]

Just read an article and they have captured around 2100 adults and larvae !!!. Yes, they do go after many other palms, besides

coco. There is a list on a Purdue university website. Rats, mongoose and birds are supposed to be predators. Maybe the invasive

rodents can now go after the invasive beetles.

aloha

[LilikoiLee]

Very frightening! Thanks for the 'heads up" Dr. George.

Lee

[Justin]

Thankfully this started on Oahu - it at least has a chance of being squelched. If it were like the Fire Ants, the Coqui Frogs, or any number of the other invasive species that started on the outer islands, it is not a problem unless or until it reaches Oahu.

[colin Peters]

Just went by Diamond Head and there are many of these CRB traps now hanging along the road. This one

is by my house. "Please stay empty!!"

[colin Peters]

Starting to cut down cocos in waikiki by aquarium. Kaimana beach.

There are a few palms with ribbon tied around them and their fronds look as though they are

cut in half, tale tale signs they have beetle in them.

[colin Peters]

cut to ground, another is gone with the stump removed below the ground.

[colin Peters]

tagged one, was on north shore yesterday, and there are the CRB, traps hanging.

[colin Peters]

Didnt meen to sound as there is CRB on north shore, just traps, the palm above is at Kaimana beech by Aquarium.

[realarch]

Like Justin said, if this were happening on any island other than Oahu, the effort to eradicate would probably not be as vigorous. Let's hope for the best.

Tim