Beetle eats its way through Hawaii's beloved coconut trees
The Weather Channel · Just In
The Weather Channel
Just In
Hawaiians are racing to save their beloved coconut trees from a tiny insect known as the rhinoceros coconut beetle. The invasive species has been chewing through the state’s palms for more than a decade and the state is having trouble keeping up.
Breakdown
- The rhinoceros coconut beetle is killing Hawaii's coconut palms. 6s
- The beetle has been present on Kauai and Oahu for over a decade. 14s
- Removal efforts include drones, insecticides, and beetle-sniffing dogs. 21s
- 144,000 beetles have been removed, but their population is still increasing. 27s
- Limited funding is hampering the fight to protect Hawaii's landscape. 37s