A REPORT ON THE COCONUT RHINOCEROUS BEETLE AND ITS MENACING LIFE
DAKSHIN V. JOHN *
Department of Zoology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Mysore Rd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560056, India.
ANTHONY KENNETH
Department of School of Education, Christ (Deemed to be University), Hosur Rd, Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A report on the Coconut Rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) commonly called as the rhinoceros beetle, it is one of the major pests in many countries and is an endemic species. It is closely associated to the host plant, Cocos nucifera L, commonly called as the coconut tree. Their feeding causes a typical V-shaped notch on the leaf and eventually kill the plant. Certain preventive measures like early detection using acoustic methods can be considered and the use of various traps. Biological pathogens like Metarhizium anisopliae or the orcytes virus can be used to manage their population.
Keywords: Cocos nucifera L, CRB, Metarhizium anisopliae, pest, Oryctes rhinoceros, V-shape.