KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) — Two breeding sites for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles were found in Kona on the west side of Hawaiʻi Island.
Officials say that surveys conducted confirmed two more breeding sites, increasing the total number on Hawaiʻi Island to three.
Since the discovery, treatment for these sites has started, along with ongoing detection surveys for other potential sites.
Since March, thousands of cubic yards of potential host material have been inspected.
The County of Hawaiʻi has issued a three-month stop order on the movement of host materials for CRB. The voluntary order is effective through September and applies to the area of west Hawaiʻi where CRB detections have occurred in the last six months.
“Intra-agency collaboration is critical to preventing the invasion and establishment of CRB on the Big Island,” said Parawinder Grewal, Dean of the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. “We must use all our available resources and intellect. Failure is not an option.”
To date, 30 adult beetles have been caught, with one beetle trapped as far north as Kiholo Bay.
DLNR has confirmed that nearly 400 traps have been set across the island, and more than 1,300 palm trees have been treated to help prevent further damage.