$181k to combat Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

The Commonwealth Department of Land and Natural Resources is receiving $181,048 to combat the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) recently discovered on Rota. The Interior Department announced the award.

DLNR will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the University of Guam’s Biosecurity Extension Program to contain and eradicate this invasive pest that has caused significant damage to coconut palms in Palau, Guam, and Hawaii. Native to Africa and Asia, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle can thrive on Pacific islands where it has no natural enemies. The beetle was discovered October 4 on Rota and is suspected to have been introduced from Guam within the last five months.

Congratulations to DLNR, and thank you for your work to protect our fragile island ecosystems from invasive species.