Protecting Communities and Ecosystems from the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
September 26, 2024
Recently, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) reported a new detection of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) in Waikoloa on Hawaiʻi Island. This brings the total to 6 larvae and 5 adults found on Hawaiʻi Island since the first larvae were discovered in October 2023. Since then, multiple agencies and volunteer residents working with the Big Island Invasive Species Committee have routinely monitored the area using traps for early detection. CRB are primarily pests of coconut palms, feeding on emerging fronds and causing harm and killing coconut trees as well as a diversity of other important agricultural plants and native palms. It was first detected on Oʻahu in 2013, on Kauaʻi in the spring of 2023, and on Maui in the fall of 2023. Eradication efforts are continuing on all islands currently, except for Oʻahu.
In September, partnering organizations came together to hold the inaugural Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Science Symposium: Harnessing Knowledge to Protect Communities and Ecosystems, a free virtual event and the first of its kind. The timely event was organized by Dr. Elliott Parsons with the Pacific Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network, Franny Brewer with the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Keith Weiser with the Hawaiʻi CRB Response Program, and Dr. Andrea Blas with the Micronesia Conservation Trust. The main goal of the symposium was to encourage the exchange of knowledge and to share lessons learned from across the Pacific on the prevention, control, and management of the invasive CRB.
There were 18 speakers who called in from Australia, the Philippines, Fiji, Guam, Hawaiʻi, and the East Coast of the U.S., including researchers, managers, communication specialists, and professors and students. Presenters spoke about the history of the invasion in the Pacific, invasion pathways, genetics, biosecurity interceptions, detection methods including the use of AI and detector dogs, the impacts on biocultural resources, biocontrol, drone-based aerial pesticide application, integrated pest management, and how to communicate CRB issues to different sectors including the public.
In addition to being a Zoom webinar, the symposium was also live-streamed on YouTube, with 243 participants on day one and 217 on day two, and there have been almost 1000 combined views for day 1 and 2 since the recordings were posted online.
“I am really excited about the success of this first CRB Science Symposium, with hopefully more to follow. It was amazing to learn about the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle from so many different knowledgeable experts, and I hope the lessons learned and successful approaches shared will help managers more effectively prevent and manage CRB across the Pacific,” said Dr. Elliott Parsons.
The schedule of presentations can be found on the CRB Response website, and all of the presentations are free and available.