June 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S. TV. 507 



Report on Beetles from the SoLO:\[OiV Islands 



ATTACKING CoCO-NUT PaLMS. 



The beetles forwarded proved to be Xylotnipes gideon, and a variety with 

 shorter horns, viz., Xylotrupes yideon var. oromedon (family iScarabaeidse). 

 The male possesses large horns projecting from the head and thorax, which 

 projections are not present in the female. 



This species is found in the Pacific and East Indian Islands and China, 

 and is closely allied to a Queensland beetle [Xylotrupes australicus), the 

 grub of which sometimes attacks sugar-cane roots. 



Among the specimens sent were also a few of the genus Oryctes, in which 

 the thorax is njuch sunken. This species is allied to Oryctes rhinoceros, 

 reported as a similar pest of date, coco-nut, and Palmyra palms in India. 



The habits and life history of Xylotnipes and Oryctes are similar ; the 

 •eggs are laid in rotten trees or decaying vegetable matter, and the grubs feed 

 thereon, or on roots for a j^eriod of about two years. The grub is white, 

 thick, fleshy, and curved, with a dark-brown head, and grows to a 

 length of 2 inches or more. At night the adult beetle, which, though heavy- 

 bodied, can fly, settles on the crown of a palm, and burrows down through 

 the folded leaves to the heart of the growing shoot, decay sets up, and eggs 

 may be laid in these burrows, and the grubs continue the damage of the adult. 

 Without seeing the beetles at work in the plantations, the nature of the 

 trees, and the surrounding forest, it is dithcult to suggest what might be 

 practicable and effective asa remedy. 



The tirst necessity s^ems to be destroying all decaying palms and heaps of 

 rotting vegetable matter likely to harbour the beetles or their larvte, which 

 may he in or about the plantations. 



Spraying with a strong tobacco and soap wash may have a deterrent effect, 

 as well as penetrating the burrows and destroying the grubs within ; similarl)', 

 arsenate of lead (1 lb. in .50 gallons of water, or stronger) might be tried to 

 poison the outer surface of the crown. Such sprays can be applied by b.irrel 

 pumps and hose and nozzles ; in the case of older })lantations, bamboo poles 

 or ladders could be used to raise the nozzles. After rain, the spraying would 

 need to be repeated. The beetles are attracted by lights at night, and lights 

 placed above trays of kerosene may attract and destroy numbers, especially 

 on warm and cloudy nights. 



Some few heaps of rotting matter or trees might be effective if left as 

 traps for the eggs and grubs, and destroyed at regular intervals of a few 

 jnonths. 



