Protect Our Coconut Trees From Chermel A Lius (Coconut Rhinocerous Beetle–CRB)
March 1- 2017 -At its March monthly meeting, POGA members welcomed Bureau of Agriculture (BOA), Director Fred Sengebau and Invasive Species Coordinator, Isechal Remengesau to discuss the growing concerns surrounding Coconut Rhinocerous Beetle (CRB) in Palau.
[restrict]
The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), is a large black beetle that feeds on coconut and other palms. The adult beetles bore holes into the crowns of coconut trees and feed on the sap. This is what causes the distinctive V-shaped cuts in the leaves. There are now two types of chermel a lius in Palau. They are known as CRB-P and CRB-G. They look exactly the same, so the only way to tell the difference is to extract their DNA.
CRB BIOLOGY • Adult CRB are large (up to 2 ½ inches long) black beetles. • There are four life stages: eggs, larvae (grubs), pupae, and adults • Eggs are laid in dead coconut trees, as well as in rotting logs, compost, and any pile of organic material • The larvae are large white C-shaped grubs which grow to about 3 ½ inches long • Adult beetles emerge about four months after egg-laying. • Adults are active at night.
PREVENT & CONTROL CRB by preventing reproduction • CUT DOWN DEAD COCONUT TREES AND STUMPS TO GROUND LEVEL • Clear all green waste including dead palm trees, stumps and trunks • Monitor compost piles for larvae and destroy any larvae found • Use compost within four months For inquiries or more information on CRB, contact Bureau of Agriculture or POGA @ 488-3400. [/restrict]