COCONUT plantation farmers in central and west Kwaio in Malaita say their newly grown coconut plants are being destroyed by the deadly Rhinoceros beetle.

Famer John Seluwala told this paper that since being discovered, the beetle has been sweeping across the plantations like wildfire.

“Not only with coconut but the beetles are also found at our banana trees where they were eaten up by their leaves.

“You can only find them in the leaves of the newly grown coconut plants where it was estimated from 4-5 years old coconuts.

They believe that the beetles may have been artificially introduced into Kwaio recently from Honiara.

Seluwala said he has already informed the ministry of agriculture in Auki and is waiting response.

However, according to Labu Toito’ona, senior planning officer Agriculture, Malaita province, the beetles are endemic species which have not harmed crops until now, and that they will investigate the change in the insect’s behaviour and address it.

“We have no better assessment to our local famers at the rural areas because we lack Logistic especially vehicle to carry us to where our locals are.

“We call upon the ministry of agriculture and live stock to consider our need in the Auki agriculture office for our officers to carry out their responsibilities to our local farmers.

“We want to get rid of this deadly insect where it will destroy all our coconuts if no better assessment and management is not carried out by our agriculture officers to our local coconut farmers in our rural areas,” Toito’ona said.