A disease resistant variety of Rhinoceros Beetle is threatening the Solomon Islands' US$38-million coconut and palm oil exports.
The two industries make up a significant share of the country's export earnings.
The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Programme co-ordinator Bob Macfarlane is organising a taskforce gathering this week aimed at combatting the noxious pest.
Mr Mcfarlane says the beetle is different from the variety which devastated half of the coconut palms in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga last century but just as destructive.
The disease-resistant variety of rhinoceros beetle. Photo: Supplied
