Clik here to view.
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MLFFB) and the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) released a virus to attack adult Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (CRBs) at north Efate.
Around 30 beetles have been infused with the Oryctes virus and were set free into the first breeding site with hopes it can kill the other non-infected beetles when it comes to contact with them.
The 2nd release of virus inoculated adult beetles was done on the 22nd of October by the New Zealand's Parliamentary Under Secretary for Disarmament and Arms Control, Fletcher Tabuteau (MP)
The nudi-virus has been used in Malaysia and other pacific island countries like Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
The second biological control agent that is being released is the Metarizium fungus. This fungus has also been used in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Fiji.
Biosecurity Vanuatu confirmed that the virus was made possible with the assistance provided by CIDP and the SPC technical advisors who have and continue to assist the department with the fungal work. Training was also carried out by New Zealand AgResearch bio control specialist, Dr Sean for the production and release of virus in the field.
“Activities that will continue after the State of Emergency (SoE) will be continuous monitoring and surveillance in the infected areas as well as around the island of Efate, sanitation work-revisiting and re-burning of CRB breeding sites and monitoring and servicing of PVC pipe traps, Gill net traps, artificial breeding box traps and light traps. One other important activity that has started is the inspection and/or treatment of CRB host materials out from infected areas.
“Activities after SoE will be challenging given shortage of human resources, lack of vehicles to carry out Intensive monitoring, weekly surveillance and capacity building for trained casuals to assist the department. Despite these challenges, the department will continue to carry out CRB activities to avoid spread of beetles out of the infected area and contain them within the quarantine zone”.
Coconut trees are regarded as the main source of income for most the rural communities in the islands.
