COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE (CRB)

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, was first detected on O'ahu in December of 2013. Native to Southeast Asia, adult CRB feed on emerging palm fronds, causing damage that can often be severe enough to kill the plant.

CRB populations can have devastating impacts on palm species that are foundational to cultural heritage, agriculture, ecosystems, and economies, when out of their native range.