Oryctes rhinoceros Scorecard

Coconut rhinoceros beetle. Hanna Royals, Screening Aids, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Species:  Oryctes rhinoceros

Common Name:  Coconut rhinocerus beetle

Scorecard created on
Last Updated on

Results

Impact Total:12 / 35Impact = ( Spread + Damage - Benefit )

Ability to Respond Total:19 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )

Confidence:Medium

Confidence Notes:Major pest of coconut and oil palms, but no information available on impact to commercial date production.

Impact

SpreadNotesScore
Spread RateLarvae may be transported in palm packing material or green waste. Adults are night active and strong fliers. 3
Spread AmountNative to Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia, and has spread rapidly throughout pacific islands2
DamageNotesScore
EcologicalAdults are possible minor pests of native Agave1
AgriculturalPest of date palms, mango and other specialty crops. Possible pathogen vector4
Infrastructure0
CulturalPest of several ornamental palms and landscape plants. Possible pathogen vector2
Health0
BenefitNotesScore
Ecological0
Agricultural0
Infrastructure0
Cultural0
Health0
Total12

Ability to Respond

Ease of ResponseNotesScore
DetectionAggregation pheromone available, beetles are fairly large (about 2 in.) but nocturnal activity and residence in tree can make detection difficult. 3
ControlBiocontrol using the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and Nudiviruses can be effective at managing populations, however new haplotype is resistant3
Tools in PlaceNotesScore
EntryCDFA A-rated pest5
ControlCDFA A-rated pest5
OutreachEducation and outreach materials available, USDA eradication effort in Hawaii3
Total19

References