Two invasive beetle breeding sites found in W. Hawaii
Surveys conducted last week located two breeding sites of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) in West Hawaii, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The detection triggered the launch of a state and county response effort to manage and eradicate the invasive species. Partners include the DLNR, University of Hawaii, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and Hawaii County.
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Active management of CRB on Hawaii Island has been ongoing since the first detection in Waikoloa in 2023. In March 2025, an adult beetle was captured by a trap installed at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, initiating an intensive trapping effort for the surrounding area.
To date, 30 adult beetles have been caught, with one beetle trapped as far north as Kiholo Bay.
Recent actions taken to protect West Hawaii and prevent the spread of CRB extend beyond state and county agencies to include residents, local businesses and community organizations. Activities include the removal of green waste and other decaying plant matter ripe for CRB breeding, deploying more traps in the surrounding area, and organizing multiple surveys with scent detection dogs.
Since March, thousands of cubic yards of potential host material have been inspected. So far, only two breeding sites have been found, bringing the Hawaii Island total to three.
Treatment for these sites is underway, and detection surveys for other potential breeding sites are ongoing, according to DLNR.
To underscore the severity of the impacts this invasive species is capable of, Hawaii County and DAB issued a three-month voluntary compliance order to stop the movement of host materials for CRB. The voluntary order is effective through September and applies to the area of West Hawaii 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 Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. “We must use all our available resources and intellect. Failure is not an option.”
Combined efforts on Hawaii Island have led to the deployment of nearly 400 traps and the treatment of 1,300 palm trees to prevent CRB damage. Public outreach in the Kona area continues.
To report a possible CRB infestation, call 643PEST.org or the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at (808) 643-PEST (7378).
For more information about CRB, go to the CRB Response webpage: www.crbhawaii.org/.
