Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), an invasive pest, was detected Dec. 23, 2013 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam on coconut trees. A joint effort between USDA, UH at Manoa, U.S. Navy, HDOA and other partners has mobilized and an Incident Command System (ICS) has been established to respond to this pest emergency.
Please find below the latest update or click here to view/download as PDF.
Contact Rob Hauff or Rebecca Smith, CRB Response Liaison Officers, with any questions related to this update:
Rob Hauff: Robert.D.Hauff@hawaii.gov
Rebecca Smith: Rebecca.R.Smith@hawaii.gov
or by calling 808.832.0585
*Bi-Weekly CRB updates will be sent to the full HISC Listserv, to opt-out of the updates, please respond to this email indicating you do not wish to receive them.
For more information, click on the links below:
June 23 - July 4, 2014 Update
- The new USDA limited appointment staff were trained and are now conducting CRB surveys. In addition, trained USDA staff are in place working at the command post.
- During the 2-week reporting period, the infestation area did not expand. Larvae were found in a mulch pile at Navy Marine Golf Course and the infested material was covered with netting to prevent beetles from emerging.
- A damaged fan palm was removed at the Mamala Bay Golf Course on Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and inspectors found 39 larvae and 3 adult females in the crown of the tree.
- The mulch pile at Iroquois Point is being made ready for treatment.
- USDA, HDOA, and US Navy have each ordered an air curtain burner unit to incinerate infested green waste. The Hawaii Department of Health issued a permit allowing the project to burn infested material. In-vessel composting operations continue, but burning will be an additional tool to treat the large amount of infested material.
- Beetle Fact: The coconut rhinoceros beetle is in the scarab beetle family which includes the sacred beetle of ancient Egypt. Other scarabs occurring in Hawaii include the oriental flower beetle and dung beetles which feed on animal feces.
This report uses the best information available at the time of writing and is not an official record of the project. Its purpose is to update partner agencies and concerned individuals about project progress. Questions regarding information in the report can be addressed by calling the project command post at 832-0585. Mahalo.
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