Bio-suppression of coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L.
(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by Oryctes baculovirus (Kerala isolate) in
South Andaman, India

G. Shyam Prasada, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The
Corresponding Author, V. Jayakumara, H.R. Ranganathb and V.R. Bhagwatc
aCentral Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744 101, Andaman &
Nicobar Islands, India
bIndian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesserghatta, Bangalore,
Karnataka, India
cCentral Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology, PO: PAU,
Ludhiana 141 004, Punjab, India
Received 4 August 2006; revised 19 November 2007; accepted 23 November
2007. Available online 10 January 2008.

Abstract

Coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros L.) is the major
constraint in the production of coconut across the Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. To suppress the pest population, baculovirus was released for
the first time in 1987 at four locations in South Andaman, which brought
down palm damage to insignificant levels within 48 months of release.
However, during 1999–2000 large-scale felling of old coconut palms to be
replaced with fresh ones by the Andaman Plantation Development
Corporation (APDC) resulted in a fresh outbreak of coconut rhinoceros
beetle. This warranted release of virus through infected beetles to
suppress the pest population. A dose of 130 μg crude virus preparation
(CVP)/beetle ensured optimum longevity coupled with low fecundity for
efficient dispersal of virus. Release of such pre-infected beetles (795)
at five locations in South Andaman resulted in over 90% reduction in
palm damage within 23 months of release. Examination of experimental and
adjoining palm groves confirmed the prevalence of virus among the
sampled beetle population, which registered three-fold increases since
the release of virus. There was a drastic reduction to the extent of 91%
in the occupancy. However, the recent tsunami in December 2004 in
addition to destroying 5000 ha of coconut area has generated huge
amounts of organic matter, which has resulted in the rhinoceros beetle
outbreak. Augmentation of virus is suggested for effective management of
the pest.

Keywords: Oryctes rhinoceros; Baculovirus


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