Waikōloa residents asked to look for possible coconut rhinoceros beetle lairs

A collaborative agency with partners throughout the state whose mission is to protect Hawai‘i from the coconut rhinoceros beetle is asking residents of Waikōloa to keep an eye out for the possible lairs where these invasive insects might lurk on their properties.

The CRB Response is a coordinated partnership with the University of Hawai‘i, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hawai’i Department of Agriculture and other key organizations.

With the discovery of one of the invasive beetles in a trap last week during routine monitoring in Waikōloa, the first detection of coconu rhinoceros beetle the Big Island since October last year, the response agency is asking residents of the West Hawai‘i community to identify any mulch, dead palms, stumps or other rotting plant material on their property that make suitable habitats for the beetles.

“Surveying these could be the difference between stopping the beetles and uncontrolled destruction of palms and other plants across Big Island,” said the agency in its request for assistance.

The first detection on Hawai‘i Island and the only known breeding site was reported by a resident who found larvae in a stump in their backyard.

Waikōloa residents are asked to share information about any of the following:

• Decaying tree stumps or logs with a diameter of 6 inches or more.
• Mulch, compost or decomposing green waste of at least 1 cubic yard.
• Standing dead palms.

You can share the information online.

These materials can become infested at any time and recent infestations are hard to notice. Even though you haven’t seen signs of the invasive beetles, doesn’t mean they’re not already present.

The CRB Response, Big Island Invasive Species Committee and Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture will also be conducting free inspections of potential breeding material in Waikōloa, looking for coconut rhinoceros beetle eggs, larvae/grubs and adult beetles.

Coconut rhinoceros beetles feed on and can kill coconut, fan, date, royal and other palm varieties and other plants such as hala, banana, pineapple and sugarcane.

Evidence of feeding shows up as 1.5- to 2-boreholes and angled cuts on coconut fronds or scalloped cuts on fan palms.

If you see suspicious damage or have identified potential breeding materials, report them.

Waikōloa residents are also encouraged to contact the Big Island Invasive Species Committee to get on the list for a free backyard survey with coconut rhinoceros beetle-sniffing canine Manu.

To learn more about the invasive beetle, future plans or get involved in efforts to fight it, attend the community meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in the cafeteria at Waikōloa Elementary and Middle School.

To report finding coconut rhinoceros beetles, contact The CRB Response at info@crbhawaii.org or Big Island Invasive Species Committee at biisc@hawaii.edu. Click here for more information.