Difference between revisions of "Guam Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Eradication Plan"

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(Introduction)
(Eradication of Immature Stages by Sanitation)
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==Eradication of Immature Stages by Sanitation==
 
==Eradication of Immature Stages by Sanitation==
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The great majority of RCB immatures are found in dead and decaying coconut logs, either standing or fallen.  Alternate breeding sites include piles of rotting vegetation such as sawdust or leaf litter.  In Tumon Bay, all dead coconuts will be chipped and composted.

Revision as of 09:21, 26 September 2007

Introduction

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (RCB), Oryctes rhinoceros, was first detected on Guam in the Tumon Bay on September 12, 2007. This large scarab beetle is a serious pest of palm trees, including coconut and betelnut, and also Pandanus. Adult RCB damage palms by boring into the center of the crown, where they injure the young, growing tissues and feed on the exuded sap. As they bore into the crown, they cut through developing leaves. When the leaves grow out and unfold, the damage appears as V-shaped cuts in the fronds or holes through the midrib. Adult feeding damage to young palms is often lethal, either through direct injury to the growing tip or from secondary infections of bacteria and fungi. Immature stages (eggs, grubs, and pupae) are found in dead coconuts and piles of rotting vegetation such as sawdust and leaf litter.

RCB is endemic in much of southeast Asia, includung the Philippines. It has been accidentally introduced and established as a pest on the Pacific islands of Palau, Fiji and Samoa.

A survey is being conducted by the University of Guam and the Guam Department of Agriculture to determine the extent of the infestation. To date, damage symptoms have been seen only at Tumon Bay and FaiFai Beach. Adults and grubs have been collected only from Tumon Bay. Entomologists (Dr. Moore, Dr. Miller, Dr. Campbell) are in agreement that an eradication program with the objective of eliminating of all live adults and immatures on Guam is likely to succeed if it is launched before the infestation spreads to other areas of the island. The proposed eradication project will eliminate adults by mass trapping and immatures by removal of breeding sites. The project can be accomplished without the use of insecticides.

Eradication of Adults by Mass Trapping

A commercially available chemical lures for RCB can be used to trap both sexes of adults. Traps are made by placing a lure at the center of a baffle which is placed in a bucket. Flying beetles are attracted to the emitter, strike the baffle and fall into the bucket. The baffle prevents them from flying out of the bucket. Bucket traps are hung from trees or other supports at two to three meters above the ground. For RCB eradication programs, the recommended density of traps is one per acre.

We plan to remove beetles from traps every second week, and replace lures every tenth week. Live beetles will be killed before removal from the infestation area. Trap catch data will be used to monitor progress of the project. Mass trapping will continue for two years. Thereafter, a small number of traps will be maintained to detect reinfestation.

Eradication of Immature Stages by Sanitation

The great majority of RCB immatures are found in dead and decaying coconut logs, either standing or fallen. Alternate breeding sites include piles of rotting vegetation such as sawdust or leaf litter. In Tumon Bay, all dead coconuts will be chipped and composted.