Agriculture and Natural Resources Program

A GMF (Green Muscardine Fungus / Metharhizium anisopliae) sink is a method of attracting and killing Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles in their various life stages by means of building a ground trap. This ground trap consists of four coconut logs arranged as a squareshaped confinement on the ground, with either chipped wood or decaying coconut debris and soil in the center. The coconut logs and soil attract the beetles to the trap, where they breed and lay their eggs. Additionally, a pheromone lure is added to the trap to ensure that a large amount of beetles is attracted to the sink. The soil/debris in the center has been treated with the Green Muscardine Fungus, usually approximately 350 g, which leads to the death of the CRB within 14 to 21 days. In the time that the larvae and or adult beetles are still alive, they are capable of infecting other healthy beetles with the fungus as well. The sinks are then covered with coconut fronds to prevent UVA/UVB rays from damaging the growth of GMF.  In order for GMF to grow well, it needs warm temperatures and high humidity. If this is provided, the fungus can remain active in the soil for several months up to one year. We are currently inspecting these sinks every two weeks, re-applying GMF to them and recording the number of beetles and larvae (dead and alive) found inside the traps.