REPORT 
DESTRUCTION OF COCO-NUT PALMS BY BEETLES, 
O 
HE damage caused by the ravages of two species of 
beetles in Singapore to the coco-nut trees has now 
become so serious, that it is imperative that some 
steps should be taken to ameliorate the plague 
without delay. For this purpose, I have here col- 
lected all the information I could, both by per- 
sonal observation of the habits of these animals, and by en- 
quiries of the several planters whose estates have been much 
affected, and by reference also to published notes in The 
Tropical Agriculturist, and in a paper published by authority 
of the Straits Settlements Government and written by Dr. 
SIMON, together with the correspondence on the subject 
between the various planters and certain Government Officials. 
The Species of Beetles—The two species of beetle which 
attack palms here are quite different in appearance and habits 
and in their method of destruction, although they are usually 
found together, and must be treated of separately. One is 
Oryctes rhinoceros, commonly known as the rhinoceros, ele- 
phant or black beetle, belonging to the group of Lamellicor- 
nia. The other is Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, known as the 
red beetle: it is a large species of weevil. Two other larger 
species of Calandra occur in the island, both of which prey on 
some species of palm, but I have not received any notice of 
their attacking coco-nuts. 
Oryctes rhinoceros.—This beetle belongs to the group of 
Lamellicornia, the larvze of which live in decaying vegetable 
