Coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros): A manual for control and management of the pest in Pacific Island countries and territories

This manual has been developed to support trainers in building the capacity of biosecurity and extension workers for the control and management of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) in the Pacific region. It draws on extensive literature on CRB, especially as it relates to the Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), as well as knowledge from current and former colleagues who have worked to control and manage this pest. Publication of this manual is timely as the Pacific region is challenged by the invasion of a new CRB biotype, the CRB-G, and there remains a need to regain control of the established biotype CRB-S, which has hampered the success of renovation programmes for mature tall palms as well as newly emergent, high-value coconut product industries (e.g. virgin oil and coconut water) that offer economic opportunities for villagers in the region. The emergence of CRB-G as an invasive pest underpins the need for a revision of data and a revitalisation of the IPM system for CRB to protect coconut and oil palm production. This issue prompted a revision of CRB data and production of this manual.