Rhino Beetle battle ‘won’
All clear but still take care
By Feona Mo’ardi Good

Rhinoceros Beetle . if you see one,
let the Agriculture Ministry know quickly.

Good news from the battle to beat the Rhinoceros Beetle invasion.
The Agriculture Ministry this week gave the all-clear on the infestation scare from back in June in Muri, Ngatangiia.
Entomologist Maja Poescko said: “The pheromone traps they set in June have showed no further visible signs of infestation.
“However, if this type of beetle had laid eggs and nested within the coconut husks it would have caused a catastrophe to our environment in the Cook Islands if it got out of control.”
The Rhinoceros Beetles are suspected to have arrived in the country in a cargo container on a ship. But efforts to track what container and where from have been unsuccessful.
Their arrival raised fears they would start causing damage to coconut trees.
The coconut palm - an important cash crop and valuable source of nutrition - is attacked by some types of Rhinoceros Beetle, which reduces yields.
Unlike some other island countries, the Cook Islands is Rhinoceros Beetle free.
Fortunately the beetles at Muri were spotted by someone who knew what they were and the danger they posed.
They reported this to the Agriculture Ministry, which quickly began checking to see how the beetles had spread and began a campaign to eradicate them.
The entomology team along with other Agriculture Ministry specialists will continue with this programme. Just in case.
SURE
They say it takes months for this type of beetle to breed so they want to make sure they have covered the larger Muri area. This is to be sure none of these dangerous little pests are left running around.
Poescko says the Rhinoceros Beetle has a distinguishing feature on its head of a long horn.
If you happen to notice this type of beetle in the picture above around your home or garden, phone Poescko or her colleagues on 25403. This is so they can come and take action.

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