Hawaii races to stop spread of tree-killing rhinoceros beetles, invasive species that can fly 2 miles and lay 140 eggs

Hawaii is ramping up its efforts to stop the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles, an invasive species that has expanded its presence drastically since first being detected in the state a decade ago.

According to the state's Invasive Species Council, the beetles — which are native to Africa, China and Southeast Asia — are about two inches long with a C-shaped body. They are nocturnal and can fly up to two miles when looking for a food source, and female beetles lay 50-140 eggs in their lifetime, which is typically four to nine months.

First found in Hawaii in 2013 at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the invasive species spread across the state last year and has been detected multiple times in recent months, officials say. Coconut rhinoceros beetles do not bite but may carry disease since they live in dirt and mulch, experts say.