![]() ![]() These signs of damages lead us to the conclusion that the beetle population was excessive and was a real threat to the coconut palm trees and our coconut oil production was reduced due to a lesser coconut harvesting. However, our own experience indicates that coconut palm Rhinoceros beetles will use dead, decaying or damaged sugar palm trees as breeding sites. ![]() The common knowledge presumes that the beetle breeding in the sugar palm trunks was a different kind of beetle. We discovered that dead sugar palm trees and our organic compost were major breeding sites for the larvae. From 1 to 5 larvae could be found around the roots in average. ![]() Digging the soil around the coconut palm trees also revealed some larvae in the earth scattered close to the tree roots. This pile was composed of sugar palm trunks and it seems to be a favorite place for the beetle to place the larvae. Up to hundreds of larvae and adults were discovered in the biggest compost pile (2 x 4 x 1 cubic meters) (see annex 2). Moreover, large numbers of Rhinoceros beetle larvae, pupae and adults have now been discovered in our compost piles in the past few months. From then on damages appeared on almost all of our trees. Since that time, four coconut palm trees were already dead and had to be cut down, the trunk heavily infested, due to beetle attacks. Six months later, some larvae were also discovered in our compost piles. No physical damages appeared on tree trunks. However, trees with only 1 visible hole in a branch still showed a high number of damaged leaves. The number of visible beetle holes on branches (see annex 1), varied from 1 to 8 per tree. About 80% of all our coconut palm trees exhibited insects in their upper part. Inspecting the coconut palm trees afterwards revealed the presence of numerous adult insects located in the tree crowns. Discussion with other local farms informed us about the appearance of Rhinoceros beetles in our region. These symptoms allowed us to identify the presence of a possible pest infestation. Signs of damages on coconut palm trees appeared 2 years ago, with leaves turning brown, falling down and dying, as well as fronds appearing on coconut tree branches. The garden is surrounded by a vast natural forest containing 180 coconut palm trees scattered throughout the area. Any chemical products – pesticides, insecticides, conventional fertilizers – are not applicable. Jiwa Damai, permaculture garden and retreat center is located in the center of the island of Bali, Indonesia (The garden is based on permaculture principles therefore, only fully organic methods are used. ![]() However, monitoring the effects of this control method on a long-term basis is essential to pursue a good assessment of its effectiveness. One month after the application of the fungus, the number of insects has reduced by 50% in the upper part of the trees and the number of larvae, pupae and insects has reduced by 90% in the compost piles. This method relies heavily on the utilization of the fungus Metarrhizium anisoplia as a biocontrol agent for Oryctes Rhinoceros L. This control method is based on ecological principles that aim to strengthen the coconut palm trees and reduce the beetle population to a level that no longer threatens the tree’s survival. This paper presents the integrated pest management system, composed of several layers of actions, that has been applied by this farm in order to face this issue. This pest infestation has highly endangered the coconut palm tree population and reduced the coconut oil production. What is an effective method to organically and naturally modify the number of the coconut beetles? Jiwa Damai, a permaculture garden located in Bali, Indonesia, has been under the attack of the Rhinoceros beetle ( Oryctes Rhinoceros L.) for a period of two years. is an endemic pest of Asia that causes devastating damages to coconut palm tree plantations. Margret Rueffler: Dealing with Rhinoceros Beetle Infestation on Coconut Palms Through Biological and Natural Applications and Methods: Using the fungus Metarrhizium anisopliae as part of an integrated pest management system.īy Catherine Dallaire and Dr. This research article was submitted by NEUniversity faculty, Dr. ![]()
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