Hawaii Strengthens Measures Against Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

Hawaii is intensifying its battle against the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles, with state officials approving new regulations aimed at halting the pests’ spread throughout the Pacific archipelago.

On Tuesday, the Hawaii agriculture board sanctioned measures including a prohibition on transferring infested soil and compost between islands and enhanced insect inspections to prevent an influx of these harmful pests, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. These changes come after a delay of about 20 months and follow the discovery of “multiple populations” of beetles on Kauai in May 2023, indicating a worsening situation, state officials reported.

Impact of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

Coconut rhinoceros beetles are known to damage and sometimes kill palm trees, as well as threaten the growth of crops like pineapple, bananas, papaya, sugarcane, and taro, as noted by Hawaii Public Radio.

“This is about an all-hands-on-deck approach to managing, preventing – and hopefully eradicating – the ongoing cycle of invasive species,” stated Dianne Ley, a member of the board from the Big Island.

Characteristics and Risks

These black beetles measure about 2 inches in length and possess a horn but do not bite. However, authorities warn that they could potentially carry diseases due to their habitat in dirt and mulch.

The newly approved rules also aim to prevent the spread of little fire ants, another invasive species threatening local agriculture and native plants while posing risks to humans and pets. While these aggressive ants have plagued the Big Island for years, they have recently been reported on Oahu, prompting renewed calls for action, as reported by Hawaii Public Radio.

Controlling Beetle Population

Conservationists in Hawaii are enhancing efforts to locate breeding sites for the beetles, which could help control their population growth. Conservation Dogs of Hawaii has trained scent-detection dogs to find these pests, with one three-dog team discovering over 80 coconut rhinoceros beetles during a training session in June, according to Island News.