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People who are espousing the use of systemic insecticide to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle should be aware such a tactic might cause a double disaster.
The beetle is a robust variety of insect which will very likely develop resistance to the insecticide and continue its decimation of palms. Pollenating insects, which we rely on for food crops, are far more fragile than the beetle and will very likely suffer most.
Just a few bees, returning from foraging, contaminated with systemic insecticide from treated palm flower sprays will be enough to sicken or completely collapse a colony.
Gary Pardy
Haleiwa
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