Meet the beetles: Hawaii mobilizes to fight bug invasion Ashley Barnes 2nd

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/09/us/hawaii-beetle-invasion/index.html?hpt=us_c2

The coconut rhinoceros beetle has a history of causing economic problems in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.  They are large beetles that are very resistant to scientist’s attempts to kill them and are capable of  wiping out entire populations of coconut trees causing economic ruin to countries dependent of coconuts as a cash crop.  Unfortunately, these beetles have been found in several places in Hawaii and scientist believe they could wipe out 50% of the coconut trees if not dealt with quickly.  The beetle does not respond to traditional pesticides and may require more environmentally adverse measures like releasing a fungus or a virus into the environment to kill them in an attempt to save the ornamental coconut trees.  It is not known how the beetles arrived in Hawaii but it believed they may have arrived on a boat.  There is a chance that Hawaii has more defenses that Quam because it has a larger bird population which are feeding on the beetles.  The battle to save the coconut trees continues as scientist explore the best way to manage the beetles.

While America loved the Beatle invasion of the 60’s the coconut rhinoceros beetle is not an invasion that is welcomed in Hawaii.  I find it fascinating that something as small as a beetle can cause so much damage to a well known and loved tree in Hawaii.  The key question of how the insect entered Hawaii needs to be answered and measures need to be taken to ensure that this beetle or other animals/insects that could hurt indigenous plants/crops are kept under control.  I can’t even imagine Hawaii without the ornamental coconut trees.  It appears to be a never ending battle between humans and nature to push back nature and try to control it.  The power of nature (in this case the coconut rhinoceros beetle) seems to take us by surprise with its power in sheer numbers and hardiness to survive.  The environment seems to have a tough time adapting to these new predators on Hawaiian vegetation and without the help of scientists the beetles would probably win.  The battle is fascinating to me but in the end I am confident that scientists will prevail and once again push back nature in an attempt to control it.  While we may ultimately win this battle, nature in the form of a beetle will hit hard on Hawaiians beloved coconut trees.  Next time nature clashes with humans and their economy it will come in a different form.  The man versus nature battle is an ongoing and fascinating clash.