247 



Treatment. Tf strincjeiit measures are taken the plant can 

 often be saved provided the growing point has not been destroyed. 

 The leaves should be removed and the young leaves cut right down 

 exposing the growing point. The grubs should then be removed 

 and the whole thing covered with a mat or gunny bag to protect 

 it from rain until growth commences. 



The genera attacked by the beetle are chiefly Verschaffeltia, 

 Stevensonia, Oncospernia, Cocos, Oreodo.ra^ Attalea and Livistona. 



In this connection of course it is best known as attacking 

 Cocos nucifera (Coconut). 



Pihyncoplwrus s'/). This is a larger species than the preceding 

 and attacks in the same manner especiallv Oncospennn. It should 

 be dealt witli in the manner recommended for Rtn/ncopttorus fer- 

 rugiens. 



Oryctes Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Beetle). Tliis beetle attacks 

 differently from those mentioned above though the result is the 

 same and it is the growing bud which suffers. In this case the 

 beetle itself burrows into the stem of the palm near to the grow- 

 ing point, making a large hole quite -|" in diameter. Once in- 

 side it begins feeding on the soft tissue and if not quickly dealt 

 with the damage is fatal to single stemmed palms. The iujury 

 caused by the forcible entry into the trunk causes the plant to 

 exude a considerable amount of liquid which takes the form of a 

 very gummy substance. When tliis is present in aiiy quantity it 

 is a sure sign of the presence of these undesirable pests. When 

 search is made for them they will generally be found inside the 

 stem, but also occasionally, in the sheathing bases of the leaves. 



Treatment. This pest is easy to deal with. The beetles 

 should be speared with some sharp pointed object and when all 

 have been removed a little salt should be sprinkled in the hole, 

 this is a useful deterrent to other beetles seeking a suitable place 

 to attack the palm. A sharp look out should be kept for this pest 

 as it is very destructive. If treated soon enough the infected plant 

 soon recovers. 



A specimen of Versdiaffellia spJendida, Wendl. in the Palm 

 Valley demonstrates very effectively the manner in which this pest 

 attacks. The hole in the trunk about five feet from the ground is 

 quite easv to find. Whether tliis specimen has quite recovered it 

 is difficult to say, but as the attack took place about five months 

 ago, it seems likely that it was dealt with before the growing point 

 had been injured. In anv case it is under close examination and 

 it is hoped that it is saved. 



The larvae of this pest live in cowdung, decaying leaves and 

 wood, and therefore piles of this should not be allowed to accumu- 

 late. 



The genera attacked by tliis beetle are Cocos (particularly 

 Cocos nucifera, L.. the Coconut) Steven<<onia, Versctia.feltia, Oncos- 

 pernia, and occasionally Elaeix (juineensis Jacq. the African Oil 

 Palm 



