The biosecurity department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is sending teams to several islands to confirm and contain the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle.
A biosecurity team was deployed to Tulagi in Central Province last week, and teams will soon be sent to Choiseul, the Shortland Islands and Savo to verify recent reports that the beetle is present there.
Quarantine Division Director Francis Tsatsia said if the reports prove to be true, the teams will focus on containment of the beetle.
