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, CRB Response Liaison Officer, with any questions related to this update.
Rob Hauff: Robert.D.Hauff@hawaii.gov, 808.295.5853
*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:
February 24 - 28, 2014 Update
- All known infested mulch on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam has been ground and covered to prevent adult beetles from re-infesting the mulch before it can be destroyed. Barrel traps which serve as artificial breeding sites have been placed around the covered pile to capture returning beetles and reduce the population.
- Options currently being considered for destroying the mulch include incineration at H-power and in-vessel composting which will heat the beetles to a lethal temperature. All destroyed mulch will be safely moved off-site for secure storage and composting.
- The soil beneath the infested mulch piles needs to be treated to kill pupae which can burrow deep (18 inches) into soil. Both insecticide (cypermethrin) and steam treatments are being explored for decontaminating soil.
- The Navy is pursuing in-vessel composting to dispose of large amounts of mulch on base that are not currently infested, but are at risk and cannot be removed from the site until treated for CRB. If successful, this method could be used for decontaminating infested mulch found in the future.
- This week 8 beetles were trapped, all within the 2 mile buffer of the infested site. Large piles of mulch at the Pearl City Urban Garden Center were surveyed but no CRB grubs were found. Mulch and manure piles were also surveyed at the Honolulu Zoo and checked out negative. The Pearl Country Club was surveyed and several coconut trees showed suspect damage signs. One tree was felled but no CRB or bore holes were present. The damage on the golf course was attributed to rats or tree trimmers. Over 600 traps have been deployed and approximately 60 square miles have been visually surveyed island-wide since the response began.
- Response staff attended the monthly airport meeting to update DOT, commercial airlines, FAA and other organizations on the CRB response.
- The response continues to be multi-agency with USDA, DOA, DLNR, US FWS, UH, and OISC contributing crews and assistance.
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