![]() ![]() Implementing management initiatives to supress CRB populations in infested sites is important to limit damage at infested sites and lessen the chance of beetles spreading to new sites. The pheromones are expensive, but individual sachets last for about 3 months. The use of pheromone trap technology is common for CRB surveillance and National Biosecurity Authorities are encouraged to use them for early detection and monitoring programmes. The beetles are attracted to light from boats and planes, which can then transport them to new locations. Soil and plant materials can contain the immature life stages of the beetle. grubs) of the beetle feed on compost materials.ĬRB can fly to spread throughout islands, but dispersal between islands depends on human mediated activities. Intensive feeding damage can cause eventual death to the palms. The adult beetles can live up to 9 months and within that period cause damage by chewing into the growing shoot of the palms, which results in the V-shape notches on the leaves after they unfurl (this can be up to 4 months after the damage has been caused). Detection of first incursions usually results from evidence of physical damage symptoms on the palm leaves, which becomes evident up to 4 months after the beetle has caused the damage.ĬRB has a long life cycle of about 180 days. The presence of the CRB-Guam biotype has shown evidence of severe to catastrophic levels of damage (50 – 90 %) as compared to the CRB-Pacific biotype which, with virus biocontrol, only causes light to moderate damage (10 – 50%) in ‘hot spots’ with uncontrolled breeding sites.Ī review of the potential pathways that CRB can use to spread between islands and nations in PICTs is important. However, of greatest concern is that the CRB-Guam biotype is resistant to known isolates of Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV), which have proven to be effective against the CRB-Pacific biotype. The virus is established in the CRB-Pacific biotype. Palau has had CRB since 1942 but the biotype determination in 2014 showed both types currently coexist in Palau.ĬRB-Guam biotype has invaded five Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) in the last 9 years compared to the CRB-Pacific biotype, which has had no further record of spreading since a biological control campaign using the Oryctes nudivirus was initiated in the 1960’s. ![]() While not yet confirmed the CRB-Pacific biotype is also likely present in American Samoa (1909), Keppel Island (Tonga 1921), Vavau (Tonga 1953), Tongatapu (Tonga 1961), and Tokelau (year unknown). This is different from the CRB Pacific-biotype, which has been confirmed for Samoa (1909), New Britain (PNG 1942), New Ireland (PNG 1952), Fiji (1953). Further invasions by the same biotype have been recorded on the Papua New Guinea (PNG) mainland (2009), Hawaii (2014), Palau (2014) and Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (2015). The new biotype, known as CRB-Guam was first discovered in Guam in 2007. The discovery of a new biotype of Coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, is an imminent threat to the livelihoods and economy of Pacific Islanders reliant on coconut, oil palm and other palms. Categories: News An emerging biotype of Coconut rhinoceros beetle discovered in the Pacific ![]()
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