Detection of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB)

old revision

Publication Date

Tue, 19 Apr 2022, 04:20

Last Updated

April 19, 2022, 4:20 a.m.

Report Number

NCL-03/4

Country

New Caledonia

Pest Id

Oryctes rhinoceros - (ORYCRH)

Report Status

Preliminary

Hosts

Cocos nucifer, Elaeis spp, Acanthophoenix rubra, Agave spp, Aiphanes horrida, Ananas spp, Areca spp, Arecastrum plumosa, Arenga spp, Borassus spp, Caryota urens, Casuarina equisetifolia, Clinostigma samoense, Colocasia spp, Corypha spp, Cyathea spp, Dictyosperma album, Dypsis pinnatifrons, Heterospathe elata, Hydriastele palauensis, Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, Latania spp, Livistona spp, Livistona chinensis, Metroxylon spp, Metroxylon amicarum, Metroxylon sagu, Normanbya spp, Nypa spp, , Oncosperma spp, Pandanus spp, Phoenix spp, Pinanga spp, Pritchardia pacifica, Raphia farinifera, Roystonea regia , Saccharum spp , Stevensonia spp, Thrinax spp, Verschaffeltia splendida, Wodyetia bifurcate, carica papaya,Aloe spp, Theobroma cacao …

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

Present: only in some areas
Present: under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

Specific area of Tontouta International airport

Summary

From the 7th of September to the 6th of December 2019, 50 specimens of Oryctes rhinoceros have been trapped in the area of Tontouta international Airport. This pest is widespread in the Pacific and Asia and initial introduction is thought to have happened through airplane, probably a gravid female attracted by lights during a night loading from a contaminated country. DNA analyses confirmed the presence of CRB-G. Since initial interception, an emergency response has been set in place (communication, delimiting survey, intensification of trapping site, green waste collecting and grounding…) in order to contain and eradicate the pest. This response has been officalized by an eradication order which has been published on the 31th of October in the official gazette of New Caledonia.

Danger

CRB is considered as an exotic pest to New Caledonia. Introduction of CRB in New Caledonia could have economic impacts on the coconut industry, and also have important social and cultural impacts. Given the wide range of hosts of CRB, endemic palm species could also be affected.

Contact for info

Aurélie CHAN Direction des Affaires vétérinaires, Alimentaires et Rurales (DAVAR) Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire, Alimentaire et Phytosanitaire (SIVAP) BP M2 - 98849 Nouméa cedex New Caledonia [email protected] / [email protected]

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