The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees & What We Can Do About It

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle:A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees&What We Can Do About It Dr. Aubrey Moore University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service & Western Pacific Tropical Research Center

First Coconut Rhinoceros BeetleCollected on Guam 12 Sept 2007Tumon Bay

CRB Adult Feeding Damage • CRB attacks coconuts, betelnut, and other palms • V-shaped notches cut out of fronds • Feeding burrows at base of canopy • Palms may be killed if growing tip is destroyed • Palm may be killed by entry of other insects or plant disease • Palms are structurally damaged: more susceptible to typhoons • Palm tree mortality following arrival of CRB in Palau in 1942 was about 50%

Delimiting Survey Results • Infestation on Guam is limited to Tumon Bay and Faifai Beach • 2 adult beetles collected • ~60 coconut palms with leaf damage • 4 coconut palms with feeding burrows • Grubs found at 4 breeding sites

Prognosis • Without immediate action, the CRB population will grow and spread from Tumon to other parts of the island • Adult beetles are good fliers • Grubs may be moved in rotting vegetation • Adults may be moved with transplanted palms • We will see significant mortality of ornamental and wild palms. Dead palms will help to fuel a rhino beetle population explosion

CRB Eradication Plan for Guam • Kill all adults by mass trapping using an aggregation pheromone( $105K ) • Kill all immatures by removing breeding sites: All dead coconuts and other decaying vegetation turned into compost( $85K ) • Project management( $50K ) • TOTAL: $240K

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees & What We Can Do About It