Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Infestation in Oahu Meets Doom in Hungry Hogs

The success of a recent demonstration puts hope on hungry hogs feasting on larvae to eradicate the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation in Oahu.

Hungry Hogs in Eradication Plan

The Department of Agriculture is betting on the ability of hogs to decimate the coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation on Oahu by feeding their appetites.

Hungry pigs will be utilized as part of a larger strategy that also includes the construction of transfer stations for green garbage. Because mulch is where the beetles prefer to breed, these stations will serve as bait for the beetles.

The hungry hogs will be sent out to find them after they've dozed off and devour them.

The plan has been nicknamed "Plan B" for the nearly decade-long battle to control the beetle, which has the potential to wipe out populations of coconut palms, according to DOA Director Sharon Hurd.

Since the beetle landed on Oahu in late 2013, eradication operations have been in progress, successfully controlling the number until this month, when insect larvae were found on Kauai.

In a demonstration Wednesday at North Shore Stables in Waialua, five pigs attacked a mulch mound that contained around 150 beetle larvae. Within 20 minutes, the pigs had removed and eaten all but 11 of the larvae.

That serves as a proof of concept for a small group of farmers from the North Shore who wish to contribute to the solution to the rhinoceros beetle issue, which is endangering a significant crop in Hawaii.

North Shore Stables owner Adam Lee compared the method of luring CRB to the method of attracting flies with a fly bag.

Infestation in Oahu

Since the destructive beetles pose a hazard to more than just coconut trees, Lee contacted DOA roughly one month ago to see if the organization was interested in working together to find an alternative solution.

The pigs were a potential supplementary answer, according to Hurd, even though earlier eradication and control attempts were excellent and gave valuable information.

Because of the breeding circumstances created by the green waste, the primarily nocturnal beetles are attracted to mulch.

Additionally, coconut trees will be planted in the vicinity of landfills for green garbage to attract insects.

The rhinoceros beetle is regarded as a serious menace to various palm species, including African oil palm and coconut palm.

Adults harm living palm trees, either directly killing them or exposing the plant to further death at the hands of other insects or viruses, according to Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

When outside of their native range, CRB populations can have disastrous effects on palm species that are essential to agriculture, ecosystems, economics, and cultural heritage, according to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response.

Eradication Efforts

Sniffer dogs, insecticides and herbicides, traps, and drones have all been used so far and financed nearly completely by the federal government and carried out by the University of Hawaii.

Hurd claimed that the infection has now spread to Kauai and that a new strategy, in this case: hungry hogs, must be implemented.

According to Daniel Anthony of the agricultural NGO Hui Aloha Aina Momona, the goal is to establish a long-term partnership between the community, the government, and farmers.

Anthony said that the procedure is also more environmentally friendly than pesticides.

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During this year's legislative session, state legislators did contribute money, putting aside two sets of $1 million tranches for projects aimed at reducing the beetle population.

Programs for the management of green waste and the CRB response effort will each get $1 million.

Since the contracts are going to be subjected to a competitive bidding procedure, it is unclear how that money will be distributed. The DOA has not made any financial commitments to the swine-driven approach, according to Hurd.

According to Lee, the pricing of the program, as well as a more detailed plan for the hungry hogs and transfer stations, will be announced next month.

However, the pigs from the farms are already on hand and can be made readily available through the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response team, according to Lee via Civil Beat Honolulu.