The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees & What We Can Do About It Dr....
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Beetle: Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees Trees & & What We Can Do About It What We Can Do About It Dr. Aubrey Moore Dr. Aubrey Moore University of Guam University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service Cooperative Extension Service & & Western Pacific Tropical Research Center Western Pacific Tropical Research Center
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Transcript of The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees & What We Can Do About It Dr....
The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle:The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle:
A New Threat to Guam’s Palm A New Threat to Guam’s Palm TreesTrees
&&What We Can Do About ItWhat We Can Do About It
Dr. Aubrey MooreDr. Aubrey Moore
University of Guam University of Guam Cooperative Extension ServiceCooperative Extension Service
&&Western Pacific Tropical Research CenterWestern Pacific Tropical Research Center
First Coconut Rhinoceros First Coconut Rhinoceros BeetleBeetle
Collected on Guam 12 Sept Collected on Guam 12 Sept 20072007
Tumon BayTumon Bay
CRB Adult Feeding DamageCRB Adult Feeding Damage
• CRB attacks coconuts, betelnut, and other CRB attacks coconuts, betelnut, and other palmspalms
• V-shaped notches cut out of frondsV-shaped notches cut out of fronds• Feeding burrows at base of canopyFeeding burrows at base of canopy
– Palms may be killed if growing tip is destroyedPalms may be killed if growing tip is destroyed– Palm may be killed by entry of other insects or Palm may be killed by entry of other insects or
plant diseaseplant disease– Palms are structurally damaged: more Palms are structurally damaged: more
susceptible to typhoonssusceptible to typhoons• Palm tree mortality following arrival of Palm tree mortality following arrival of
CRB in Palau in 1942 was about 50%CRB in Palau in 1942 was about 50%
Delimiting Survey ResultsDelimiting Survey Results
• Infestation on Guam is limited to Tumon Infestation on Guam is limited to Tumon Bay and Faifai BeachBay and Faifai Beach
• 2 adult beetles collected2 adult beetles collected
• ~60 coconut palms with leaf damage~60 coconut palms with leaf damage
• 4 coconut palms with feeding burrows4 coconut palms with feeding burrows
• Grubs found at 4 breeding sitesGrubs found at 4 breeding sites
PrognosisPrognosis
• Without immediate action, the CRB Without immediate action, the CRB population will grow and spread from population will grow and spread from Tumon to other parts of the islandTumon to other parts of the island– Adult beetles are good fliersAdult beetles are good fliers– Grubs may be moved in rotting vegetationGrubs may be moved in rotting vegetation– Adults may be moved with transplanted palmsAdults may be moved with transplanted palms
• We will see significant mortality of We will see significant mortality of ornamental and wild palms. Dead palms ornamental and wild palms. Dead palms will help to fuel a rhino beetle population will help to fuel a rhino beetle population explosionexplosion
CRB Eradication Plan for CRB Eradication Plan for GuamGuam• Kill all adults by mass trapping using an Kill all adults by mass trapping using an
aggregation pheromoneaggregation pheromone( $105K )( $105K )
• Kill all immatures by removing breeding Kill all immatures by removing breeding sites: All dead coconuts and other sites: All dead coconuts and other decaying vegetation turned into compostdecaying vegetation turned into compost( $85K )( $85K )
• Project managementProject management( $50K )( $50K )
• TOTAL: $240KTOTAL: $240K
