The four main stages of the beetle life-cycle are eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Melanesian coconut rhinoceros beetle eggs are difficult to see. Normally you don't see the eggs, larvae or pupae as these are buried in the dead coconut logs or trunks or other rotting materials. The preferred breeding site for CRB are dead standing coconut palms and the entire life-cycle is completed in this situation. However, adult females will also lay their eggs in a burrow of organic dead or dying material e.g. coconut frond piles or debris and rotten coconut stumps. Metamorphic life cycle of CRB (© Aubrey Moore, University of Guam)ĬRB has two different 'biotypes' in the Pacific, known as CRB-S ( biotype s usceptible to known virus isolates) and CRB-G (Guam biotype). Sometimes people use the term CRB-P instead of CRB-S.Įxternally the adults of both biotypes look identical, but CRB-G is not affected by the viral biocontrol isolates that have been used to control CRB-S. This means CRB-G can reach very high numbers that cause severe damage in palm plantations, and is very difficult to control. To identify the biotype of CRB in your area, contact SPC in the first instance or Sean Marshall at AgResearch in New Zealand. Biotypes must be identified using genetic tests, which could be done by a number of laboratories around the Pacific. Check with your local biosecurity / quarantine or SPC for more information. The eggs are laid by adult females in a burrow of organic dead or dying material. Preferred sites are in dead palm logs, either standing or on the ground, or the stumps of palms.
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