Question: A mysterious 2-foot-high lantern with the words "USDA QUARANTINE" and "643-PEST" appeared on a tree in the public sidewalk near my house in Ewa by Gentry last week. I searched online and discovered this contraption has to do with the recent discovery of coconut rhinoceros beetles in Hawaii. Does this "CRB trap" confirm the presence of these beetles? Should I be taking precautions around my property?

Answer: No need to worry yet.

"As part of an eradication effort, we are trying to determine where the (coconut rhinoceros) beetles are and where they are not," said Chris Kishimoto of the state Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch. "That way, we can know what areas to focus more effort on."

The invasive beetles were found on Oahu in December and can significantly damage coconut palms.

Traps are checked every week or two depending on whether any beetles have been collected in the area.

Kishimoto said the beetles prefer coconut palms much more than any other plant or tree, although other palms and plants may be attacked.

The larvae of the beetle, up to 3 inches long, can be found in mulch, compost and manure.

"The public should be vigilant and look for damage in coconut trees — V-shaped cuts in leaves and half-dollar-sized bore holes in the crowns — and try to not accumulate too much mulch or compost in large piles," Kishimoto said.

He also said the traps may have different stickers on them because there is a collaborative, multi-agency effort to eradicate the pest before it spreads further on Oahu.

In addition to the U.S. and state Departments of Agriculture, the Navy, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oahu Invasive Species Committee and the University of Hawaii are involved.

"The fact that so many agencies are involved and working together on this project shows just how destructive this pest can become once established here," Kishimoto said.

Trap Notices

Residents whose homes are picked to house a trap may find information hanging on their doorknobs.

The hanging notes say, "While you were away, an HDOA (Hawaii Department of Health)-authorized survey specialist was here to ask permission to hang a trap on your property."

They explain that the traps are equipped with pheromone lures and solar-powered UV/LED lights to attract adult beetles. The traps are said to be scentless and harmless to humans and pets.

Anyone who sees the beetles, grubs or damage is asked to call the CRB hotline at 679-5244 or email stoprhino@gmail.com.

Again, as part of the multi-agency effort to combat the beetle, the notices were written and designed by state agriculture and DLNR staff, with assistance from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and funded by a U.S. Forest Service grant to DLNR’s urban and community forestry program.

Traps are placed on private properties, but only with permission, said Robert Hauff, forest health coordinator with DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Breeding sites for the beetle so far have only been found on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, so surveys are prioritized within a 2-mile buffer around those breeding sites.

"In this area we are placing 64 traps per square mile,"Hauff explained. "We also have traps at high-risk sites around the island. Eventually we’d like to have traps islandwide at four traps per square mile."

Traps used to "delimit" the beetle population are referred to as "panel traps," and nearly 1,000 of those have been deployed, he said.

Another type of trap being used is the "barrel trap," constructed out of 32-gallon garbage cans that simulate the beetle-breeding habitat, he said. Only about 50 of those have been deployed so far.

Hauff said people should call the CRB hotline for questions about the traps, especially regarding permission or downed traps, or beetle sightings. Calls can also be made to the state’s general pest hotline, 643-PEST(7378).

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