Rhinoceros Beetle - Scourge of Coconut and Other Crops

Rhinoceros Beetle - Scourge of Coconut

and Other Crops

Oryctes rhinoceros L, Family Scarabaeidae, Order Coleoptera

Dr Abe V Rotor

  

Rhino beetle, immune to today's pesticide,

adapted to alternate hosts and widespread,

almost ubiquitous on farms and in the wild;

evolution induced by science, now dreaded.

Surreptitious weapon of biological warfare,

in whose dirty hands we can only surmise,

a warning we heed that nature's in distress

under our ignorance, or terrorism in disguise.

  

 

On-site study of the Rhinoceros Beetle reveals vulnerability of other plants like pandan (Pandanus tectorius), and anahaw, as shown in these photos taken by the author at the Living with Nature botanical garden, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.

   

Anahaw and Oliva

Other than coconut, hosts of the Rhino beetle, include anahaw (Livistona rotundifolia), and oliva (Cycas revoluta), which resembles palm but actually belonging to an ancient group of gymnosperms dating back over 200 million years, thus the Cycad is often called living fossil. 

Speciation - evolution of new species,

      insects the most versatile;

ancient to modern, in countless number,

     and ever increasing still.

They belong to the largest animal phylum,

     with relatives* in the sea;

yet represent li'l of their kind unknown,

     awaiting discovery.

*Insects belong to the biggest phylum - Arthropoda, which contains 

more than 80 percent of the known animal species.

 

Decline of the coconut industry is largely attributed to this pest 

as shown in these field photos.

 

Triceratops Beetle (Phileurus truncatus). Photo at left by the author,

right from Internet.

What reminds us of the rhino beetle,

the likes of the extinct triceratops; 

what secret has this persistent pest,

scourge of coconut and other crops?

 

Dynastinae or rhinoceros beetles are a subfamily of the scarab beetle family, named for their rhinoceros-like horns. Other common names – some for particular groups of rhinoceros beetles – include Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles or horn beetles. Over 1,500 species and 225 genera of rhinoceros beetles are known. Wikipedia

Author's Note: There are practical ways to control rhino beetles.  Throw sand into the leaf axils of infested trees. Sand kills larva and adult as it penetrates into their body joints (conjunctiva in adults), a lesson I learned by observing healthy coconut trees along sandy shores. Another practical means of  control is through sanitation. Clear rotting coconut trees and other host plants in your garden. Get rid your garbage pile.  Check compost pit. Gather grubs for poultry and fishpond feeds.  Why not use the grubs as fishing baits?  Enjoy. ~