COLEOPTERA. 343 



Distribution. Malabar, Coimbal ivari, Ganjam. Prob- 



ably throughout the year. 



Lifehistory.— The eggs have not been noted but are probably 

 laid in the substance of the root-stock of plantain-plants into which 

 the beetles themselves burrow. The legless, dirty-whitish grub is 

 'nan half an incb in length, with a reddish-brown head. 

 Usually a number of grubs occur in one root-stock which is tunnel- 

 led throughout. The attack is. as a rule, confined to tl 

 but sometimes extends a little distance up the stem. The grub, 

 when full-grown, part of the tunnel into an oval chamber 



lined with excreta and pupates therein, the beetle emerging from 

 the pupa after about a week but taking three or four days longer 

 for its integument to harden. 



Foodplant. Plantain (Musa sapientium). 



Stains. Usually a pest of minor importance, occasionally and 

 locally doing considerable damage. In cases of slight attack 

 there 1- little indication ni damage, bul where the attack is severe, 

 the central shoot may wither or no fruit be produced. 



Control. — Care should be taken that all old stumps should be 

 removed ami destroyed when the new suckers are planted and 

 these latter should be examined and not used if found to be 

 infected. 



RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRIGINEUS, Kb. 

 . . ferrugitieus, Fab., Enc Meth., V, 473. 



Rhyiiclwplwrus ferrugitieus, Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Life, p. 390, ff. 268- 

 269; Ghosh, Ent. Mem. Agri. Dept.. Ind.. Vol. II. No. 10. Plate. 



(See I'i.a ri-. \i\'.i 



Distribution. -Throughout Southern India, probably throughout 

 the year. 



Lifehistory. Eggs are laid in the soft parts of palms, particularly 

 where 1 ut l>\ toddj -drawers or injured by Oryctes. The stout 

 whitish grubs mine through the tissues in all directions and, when 

 lull-fed. pupate in a cocoon made of twisted fibres. The complete 

 life-cycle takes about two months, the adult weevils living two or 

 three months more at; nee from thi 



Foodplants. Palmyra, date and c oconut palms. 



Status. — A major pest of great importance m all palm-growing 

 disti i' ' 



Control. All cuts and wounds of palm-tissue should be pro- 

 tected as far as possible by smearing with Tar. The control of 

 the Rhinoceros beetle will directly lead to diminution in numbers 

 of the Palm Weevil also. Badly affected trees should be cut down, 

 split up, and burnt. 



