HI
NAtural enemies
Rhinoceros beetle eggs, larvae, pupae, and
adults may be attacked by various predators, including pigs, rats,
ants, and some beetles. They may also be killed by two important
diseases:the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and the Oryctes virus
disease.
Management. Rhinoceros beetles can be controlled by eliminating
the places where they breed and by manually destroying adults
and immatures.
• Chop and burn decaying logs or break them up and destroy any
rhinoceros beetles developing inside.
• Cut stumps as close to the soil surface as possible.
• Dead, standing coconuts should be felled, chopped, dried, and
burned.
• Rhinoceros beetles do not usually lay eggs in potential breeding
sites that are obscured by growing vegetation. Vines or
ground covers can be planted or allowed to grow over logs or
stumps that cannot be destroyed.
• Piles of dead leaves or grass can be composted, used for mulch,
burned, or spread on the ground in a thin layer.
• Compost piles should be maintained properly. When turning
compost piles or applying compost to plants, destroy any rhinoceros
beetles found. It takes longer for rhinoceros beetle larvae
to develop than it takes to make compost, so properly maintained
compost should not serve as a source of rhinoceros
beetles.
• A hooked wire can be used to extract and destroy rhinoceros
beetle adults feeding in palm crowns.
REgards
Ashwini