Protaetia orientalis in Hawaii
I’m not sure how many people are aware of it, but Protaetia orientalis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) – the oriental flower beetle, is established in Hawaii. I occasionally see it buzzing around the Pearl Harbor area. In flight it looks a lot like a female carpenter bee. I actually set out some traps for this beetle a couple of years ago on base (Makalapa compound) – perhaps I’ll write about that another day – but I didn’t have a lot of success. I also have some experience with this little guy on Guam.
For now I’ll just post some pics from an encounter in 2002. This was before my time with Navy and involves my predecessor and mentor, Stan Higa. The golf course superintendent at Mamala Bay (Hickam AFB) asked Stan to go out and look at an African tulip tree on the 9th hole that was infested with a large scarab beetle. Stan checked it out on Nov 6, 2002, took some pictures, and collected some specimens. Bernar Kumashiro at HDOA identified the beetle as Protaetia orientalis. I’m not exactly sure what happened after that, but I think it was determined that the infestation was limited to that particular tree and treatment they didn’t find any more beetles in the area. Not sure how much monitoring they did in the area or for how long. I think I remember Bernar saying that there are other records of this species being found in Hawaii. Anyway, below are the pictures that Stan took of this particular incident.
Entophile Shop
We found one 10/22/09 turned it in to HDOA for identification.
Yeah, we also see this species all the time in Manoa, so it’s well established. People frequently bring them into the Insect Museum at Gilmore wondering what they are.
I’ve recently seen them in Kailua also. Do you know if anyone has written a note about this in the PHES? It’s something I’ve been considering for a while but never seem to get around to doing.
I’ve seen a few in Kunia lately. Picked up a dead one in my backyard and went on-line to identify it. Your history on them was very interesting. By the way, I don’t think that the tree in Stan’s pictures is the invasive African Tulip Tree. Maybe the native Kou Tree (Cordia subcordata)
Hi Rick, thanks for the heads-up on the tree ID.
I’ll look into it. Also if there are any botanists out there that would like to chime in, please feel free to do so.
Unfortunately, It would not be the first time I had sometthing misidentified on this blog.
That’s a Geiger tree, Cordia Sebestena, in the photo, not a native kou tree.
Thanks for the ID – it is much appreciated!
Found one hanging on my pant leg the other day in Kailua……
I live in Ocean View, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and have, for the first time found 5 of these beetles in my kukui tree. I have never before seen them here.
Thanks for the comment – Yes, unfortunately they seem to be becoming more common throughout the State.