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The life cycle, from egg to adult, can be completed 
in 87 days. 
The weevil is an enemy of other economic palms, 
the African oil-palm being particularly susceptible, 
while most dead and dying palms serve as host 
plants. 
Control measures consist in preventing injury to 
the palms, caused either by mechanical or other 
means, controlling the “ Black ” or “ Rhinoceros ” 
beetle, ( Oryctes rhinoceros ), and in reducing the 
breeding grounds by destroying dead and dying 
palms. 
Oryctes rhinoceros , Linn., ( Dynastinae ). 
(The “ Black ” or “Rhinoceros” Beetle). 
Fan-shaped leaves and holes in the petioles of 
palms are signs of the injury caused by the “ Black ” 
or “ Rhinoceros ” beetle. This insect is to be feared 
most in districts where the “ Red stripe ” weevil is 
present, since, by “ boring ” the crown of the palm, 
suitable conditions are set up for this weevil to lay 
its eggs. 
The grubs may be found in accumulations of vege- 
table refuse, manure heaps and decaying and dead 
palms, so that in the control of this insect particular 
attention should be paid to possible breeding grounds. 
Systematic collection of the beetles and disinfection 
of the holes in the tree are methods usually adopted 
on estates. 
Plesispa reichei , Chap., ( Hispinae ). 
(The Two-coloured Coconut Leaf -beetle) . 
Both the beetle and grubs of this insect are most 
injurious to young coconut palms up to two or three 
years of age. They feed between the unopened 
leaflets. 
