Protect Your Palm Trees From CRB Damage
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles can severely damage palms across Hawaiʻi. Early detection and treatment recommendations can help reduce long-term damage.
What Is CRB?
Coconut beetles—also known as the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB)—are one of Hawaiʻi’s most destructive invasive pests. First discovered in Hawaiʻi in 2013, these beetles bore into palm crowns, damaging new growth and weakening trees over time.
CRB damage can lead to declining palms, expensive landscape loss, and serious impacts to residential properties, resorts, farms, and public spaces across the islands.
At Kilauea Pest Control, we help identify signs of CRB activity and provide treatment recommendations to help protect your palms and reduce ongoing damage.
If you’d like to learn more about the ongoing fight against CRB in Hawaiʻi, visit the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council .
Key Indicators of CRB Damage
V-Shaped Frond Damage
Distinctive V-shaped cuts or holes in fronds can indicate CRB feeding activity inside developing leaves.
Bore Holes
Adult beetles tunnel into palm crowns and upper trunks, leaving visible holes that weaken the tree.
Shredded Fronds
Ragged or uneven leaf edges may appear as beetles damage emerging palm growth.
Frass & Debris
Small piles of chewed plant material near the base of palms can signal active feeding.
Slow Palm Growth
Infested palms often show stunted growth, thinning crowns, or overall decline in health.
Larvae Activity
CRB larvae develop in decaying green waste, mulch piles, compost, and rotting vegetation.
Where CRB Breeds
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles commonly breed in decaying organic material such as mulch piles, compost, green waste, and rotting vegetation.
Managing these breeding areas is one of the most important steps in slowing CRB spread throughout Hawaiʻi.
Proper disposal of green waste and early detection can help reduce long-term damage to surrounding palms.
Protect Your Palms Today
If you’re seeing signs of CRB damage on your property, our team can help evaluate the issue and recommend next steps for treatment and protection.
FAQs
Common signs include V-shaped cuts in fronds, bore holes in the crown or trunk, shredded leaf edges, frass near the base, and slowed palm growth.
CRBs attack the newest growth at the palm’s crown. Damage to the crown weakens the tree, slows growth, and can eventually kill the palm in severe infestations.
CRB breeding sites are commonly found in decaying green waste, mulch piles, compost, and rotting vegetation.
