The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: A New Threat to Guam’s Palm Trees & What We Can Do About It Dr. Aubrey Moore University of Guam University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service & Western Pacific Tropical Research Center

First Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Collected on Guam 12 Sept 2007 Tumon Bay

CRB Adult Feeding Damage CRB attacks coconuts, betelnut, and other palms CRB attacks coconuts, betelnut, and other palms V-shaped notches cut out of fronds V-shaped notches cut out of fronds Feeding burrows at base of canopy Feeding burrows at base of canopy –Palms may be killed if growing tip is destroyed –Palm may be killed by entry of other insects or plant disease –Palms are structurally damaged: more susceptible to typhoons Palm tree mortality following arrival of CRB in Palau in 1942 was about 50% Palm tree mortality following arrival of CRB in Palau in 1942 was about 50%

Delimiting Survey Results Infestation on Guam is limited to Tumon Bay and Faifai Beach Infestation on Guam is limited to Tumon Bay and Faifai Beach 2 adult beetles collected 2 adult beetles collected ~60 coconut palms with leaf damage ~60 coconut palms with leaf damage 4 coconut palms with feeding burrows 4 coconut palms with feeding burrows Grubs found at 4 breeding sites Grubs found at 4 breeding sites

Prognosis Without immediate action, the CRB population will grow and spread from Tumon to other parts of the island Without immediate action, the CRB population will grow and spread from Tumon to other parts of the island –Adult beetles are good fliers –Grubs may be moved in rotting vegetation –Adults may be moved with transplanted palms We will see significant mortality of ornamental and wild palms. Dead palms will help to fuel a rhino beetle population explosion We will see significant mortality of ornamental and wild palms. Dead palms will help to fuel a rhino beetle population explosion

CRB Eradication Plan for Guam Kill all adults by mass trapping using an aggregation pheromone ( $105K ) Kill all adults by mass trapping using an aggregation pheromone ( $105K ) Kill all immatures by removing breeding sites: All dead coconuts and other decaying vegetation turned into compost ( $85K ) Kill all immatures by removing breeding sites: All dead coconuts and other decaying vegetation turned into compost ( $85K ) Project management ( $50K ) Project management ( $50K ) TOTAL: $240K TOTAL: $240K