Surveys conducted last week found two more breeding sites of the invasive Coconut rhinoceros beetle in Kona on Hawaii Island, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

Since the initial discovery of CRB on Hawaii Island, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (formerly the Hawaii Department of Agriculture), and County of Hawaii have maintained an ongoing effort to detect and eradicate CRB.

To date, crews have caught 30 adult beetles on Hawaii Island, with one found as far north as Kiholo Bay, according to DLNR.

Emphasizing the severe negative impact of CRB, Hawaii County and DAB recently issued a three-month voluntary compliance in West Hawaii to stop the movement of materials that have been found to carry CRB. The compliance began July 1 and runs through September 30 and is a precursor to a mandatory compliance being prepared by DAB.

“Intra-agency collaboration is critical to preventing the invasion and establishment of CRB on the Big Island,” said Parawinder Grewal, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, in a release. “We must use all our available resources and intellect. Failure is not an option.”

Thus far, CRB have only been found on Hawaii Island’s west side, resulting in the deployment of nearly 400 traps and the treatment of 1,300 palm trees and efforts to contain the invasive in the area. Outside of Hawaii Island, CRB have also been found on Oahu, certain parts of Kauai and Maui.

The public is asked to report possible CRB infestations on Hawaii Island to the 643Pest.org website or call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378). Visit the CRB Response webpage for CRB information.