Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (CRBs) are still active within the infected zone at north Efate, despite repeated clearance of breeding sites.
Volunteers have been removing trees and logs that can fuel breeding since the declaration of the State of Emergency (SoE) on July this year.
It has been estimated that more than 10,000 beetles have been collected and destroyed so far. This figure comprises of grubs, pupas and adult population which are both endemic and CRB.
The Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB), Moses Amos, has stressed these beetles could have brought serious damage to coconut palms in north Efate, if serious efforts were not made to destroy them.
Biosecurity Officer, Sylvie Boulekouran, said the beetles are still active despite repeated clearance of breeding grounds.
She conveyed that over 800 grubs, 50 pupas, and over 30 adult beetles were found in a small compost heap within the infected area in just one day last week. The compost heap is located near to a fish pond.
She said the volunteers have been focusing on removing hazard trees and logs that they forgot to check the logged soil.
”This has shown us that beetles can breed well in composts too,” she added.
The SoE declared over the CRB infestation will end on October 21.
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