Multiple state and county agencies are continuing the battle to prevent the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) from becoming established on Hawai‘i Island.

On Aug. 25 and 26 as well as September 3 to 5, the team fumigated and hauled away 144 tons of potential CRB breeding-site material from a nursery in the Keāhole Agricultural Park (KAP). This massive fumigation operation follows up on the previous fumigation of green-waste material at the ag park site in mid-August. CRB had not been detected in green waste at KAP after the first fumigation and this recent fumigation was conducted as a safeguard in case CRB had moved into other nearby green-waste piles.

In late July, the first major CRB breeding site at KAP was found when an inspection team uncovered 110 late-stage CRB larvae and three adult CRB. The green-waste piles were immediately covered with a fumigation tarp to prevent further spread and later fumigated and removed for additional processing.

Additional CRB detection traps have been deployed at KAP and increased surveillance and monitoring will continue in surrounding areas.

Photo credit: Department of Agriculture