COCONUT
RHINOCEROS
BEETLE
RESPONSE
Join us for the 2nd annual
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Science Symposium
Harnessing Knowledge to Protect Communities & Ecosystems
October 21-23 Virtual; 12:30-4:30 HST
To learn more about the Inaugural CRB Science Symposium in 2024, click here
Time of Symposium
Oct. 21-23; 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
Oct. 21-23; 11:30 am-3:30 pm
Oct. 22-24; 10:30 am-2:30 pm
Oct. 22-24; 9:30 am-1:30 pm
Oct. 22-24; 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Oct. 22-24; 7:30 am-11:30 am
Hawaii
American Samoa
RMI/Fiji/Kiribati/New Zealand
Pohnpei/Kosrai
Guam/CNMI/Chuuk/Yap/Canberra
Palau
Your Planning Team
Franny Brewer, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, University of Hawai'i PCSU
Keith Weiser, CRB Response, University of Hawai'i CTAHR
Mark Ero, Pacific Community (SPC)
Mike Melzer, UH Mānoa, CTAHR
Riten Gosai, Pacific Community (SPC)
Elliott Parsons, Pacific RISCC, Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
AGENDA
Day 1: October 21
12:30 pm Welcome & Opening Session
12:30 pm
Welcome & Introductions – Dr. Elliott Parsons, Pacific Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management Network, UH Mānoa & Dr. Keith Weiser, Hawaiʻi Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Respons
12:45 om
History of Oryctes rhinoceros (CRB) invasion of the Pacific region; response and lessons for the future – Dr. Trevor Jackson, Bioeconomy Science Institute
1:25 pm
Genomic characterisation of a novel Indonesian OrNV isolate provides insight into the challenges of CRB biocontrol– Dr. Tek Tay, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity
2:00 pm Break
2:05 pm Research Session 1: New Technologies
2:10 pm
Research updates on chemical and biological control of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in Hawaiʻi – Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2:25 pm
Persistence of insecticide-treated burlap for CRB control– Dr. Xing Wei, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi
2:40 pm
A multifaceted approach to biocontrol of Oryctes rhinoceros in Hawaiʻi –Adrianna Dupriest, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2:55 pm
Precision aerial pesticide application for CRB control – Dr. Daniel Jenkins, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
3:10 pm Break
3:15 pm Research Session #2: Biological Control & Surveillance
3:20 pm
Genetic diversity of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) – Dr. Sean Marshall, Bioeconomy Science Institute
3:35 pm
Matching pathogen and host: biological control of CRB with Oryctes nudivirus – Dr. Sarah Mansfield, Bioeconomy Science Institute
3:50 pm
Use of pheromones for surveillance and monitoring of coconut rhinoceros beetle – Dr. Sarah Mansfield, Bioeconomy Science Institute
4:05 pm
Screening of new Metarhizium isolates for control of the coconut rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific islands– Dr. Sean Marshall, Bioeconomy Science Institute
4:20 pm Closing Remarks Day 1
4:20 pm
Closing Remarks and Wrap-up for Day 1 – Franny Brewer, Big Island Invasive Species Committee & Dr. Elliott Parsons, Pacific RISCC / PICASC at UH Mānoa
4:30 pm
Finish
Day 2: October 22
12:30 pm Welcome to Regional Updates Day 2
12:30 pm
Welcome Back & Introductions; Recap of Day 1; Overview of Day 2 – Franny Brewer, Big Island Invasive Species Committee & Dr. Mike Melzer, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, CTAHR, The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
12:40 pm
Welcome to the CRB Regional Updates Day –
Dr. Laura Brewington, Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation (RISA) Program
12:55 - 2:00 pm Session 1
2:00 - 2:15 pm Interactive Session (2026 CRB Meeting)
1:00 pm
American Samoa, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Hawaiʻi, Wallis & Futuna –
10 minutes each for updates
2:15 - 3:10 pm Session 2
2:20 pm
CNMI, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia –
10 minutes each for updates.
3:10 - 3:30 pm Presentation
3:10 pm
An island-centric biosecurity network for high-risk invasive plant pests in the Pacific –Dr. David Teulon, New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute, Plant & Food Research Group
3:30 - 4:25 pm Session 3
3:10 pm
Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea –10 minutes each for updates.
4:25 pm Closing Remarks Day 2
4:25 pm
Closing Remarks and Wrap-up for Day 2 – Dr. Mark Ero, The Pacific Community (SPC)
4:30 pm
Finish
Day 3: October 23
12:30 pm Welcome Back & Opening Session
12:30 pm
Welcome & Recap of Days 1-2; Overview of Day 3 – Dr. Mark Ero, The Pacific Community (SPC)
12:45 pm
The Pasifika NiuNet: A mechanism to support our local coconut sector – Dr. Alan Aku -
Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, Pacifika NiuNet, Pacific Coconut Governance Board
1:25 pm
An action plan for coconut pests including CRB in the Pacific: Strengthening preparedness, response, and management through collaboration and innovation – Dr. Carmel Pilotti, Centre for Pacific Crops and Tress (CePACT) - Genetic Resources Programme, Pacific Community (SPC) - Land Resources Division
1:50 pm Break
1:55 pm Research Session 3: Detection & Monitoring
2:00 pm
Beyond Coconuts: CRB Management Strategies for Conservation Collections, Perspectives from a Botanical Garden – Tobias Koehler, South Shore Gardens, National Tropical Botanical Garden / Allerton Garden & McBryde Garden
2:15 pm
Leveraging existing data to guide biosurveillance for CRB – Dr. Marcel Jardeleza, Postdoctoral researcher, UH Hilo Hawaiʻi Cooperative Studies Unit & Dr. Helen Sofaer, Research Ecologist, United States Geological Survey, Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center
2:30 pm
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Detection, Eradication and Prevention Measures Program on Rota, CNMI– Mark C. Manglona, USDA, NFWF, US DOI OIA, CNMI Department of Finance Customs & Biosecurity, CNMI DLNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, CNMI, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Northern Marianas College, USFWS, CNMI Division of Agriculture.
2:45 pm
Integrating Detection Dogs into CRB Management and Eradication – Marlee Monahan, CRB Response, Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi, Kauai CRB Volunteer Program
3:00 pm
Improving an AI model for automated roadside CRB damage surveys – Dr. Aubrey Moore, Emeritus, University of Guam
3:15 pm Break
3:20 pm Research Session 4: Insights from the Pacific
3:25 pm
Evaluating Long-Term Efficacy of CRB Management Strategies at Guam's Ports of Entry – Dr. Glenn Dulla, Western Pacific Tropical Research Center, University of Guam
3:40 pm
Forestry Responses to CRB in Fiji: Linking Pest Delimitation, Senile Coconut Management, and Engineered Wood Products – Mr. Alivereti Bola, Natural Resources Management Programme, Pacific Community (SPC) - Land Resources Division
4:10 pm
Evaluation of Biocontrol Approaches for CRB Management in Oil Palm in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands – Dr. Emad Jaber, Crop Protection Department, Papua New Guinea, Oil Palm Research Association (OPRA), Dami Research Station
4:25 pm Closing Remarks Day 3
4:25 pm
Closing Remarks and Wrap-up for Day 3 – Riten Gosai (The Pacific Community (SPC) & Dr. Mike Melzer, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, CTAHR, The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
4:30 pm
Finish
REWATCH 2024 SYMPOSIUM
Recording Day 1
Recording day 2