Epizootiology of the Baculovirus of the Coconut Palm Rhinoceros Beetle in Tonga

Prof. E.C Young & Mr J.F Longworth

Department of Zoology, University of Auckland
Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, , Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction Results
The invasive Rhino Beetle (Oryctes From 1970 to 1978…
Rhinoceros), infested Tonga in 1970. The • Damaged palm trees decreased from a total
Oryctes Nudivirus was then implemented to of 9.5% to 4.2%.
stop the reproductive systems of the beetles, in • Total number of infected sites by the OrNV
concern to the dying Coconut Palm Tree increased from 144 to 234.
species. • OrNV infected 83.9% of Rhinoceros Beetles
in Tonga.
• Percentage of larvae decreased 5.47%.

Larval, Pupae, and Adult Rhinoceros Beetle Stages

14

12

10
Figure 3. The Rhinoceros Beetle bore into the crowns 8
of palm trees and feed on the tree’s sap. Taking palm
trees as shelter, beetles kill the plant itself. 6

4
Methods
2
• Rhinoceros Beetle collection: 40 samples in
six zones of the initial virus release. 0

• Transportation: frozen and within singular

tubes overseas. Larval, Pupae, and Adults Stage Larval Stage
Figure 1. Rhinoceros Beetle Life Cycle. • Virus Presence: determined by feces’
chemical composition. Figure 5. Percentage of Rhinoceros Beetles before,
Objective immediately after, and over time in Tonga of the OrNV
• Coconut Palm Tree Count: observed 16
This study was conducted to determine the implementation.
sections of plantations within the six zones of
effectiveness of the implemented Oryctes the initial virus release. Conclusions
Nudivirus in the controlling palm beetles in
coconut plantations. OrNV virus in Adult Rhinoceros Beetles in 1978
These findings indicate that the Oryctes
100 Nudivirus was able to affect the Rhinoceros
Coconut Palm Trees in 16 Zones 90 Beetle’s reproduction systems. The virus was
18 80 able to spread across land and be passed
16 70
down through genetics. The decline of the
14 60
Rhinoceros Beetles’ population increased the
12 Coconut Palm Tree counts.
50
10 40 Acknowledgments
8 The authors acknowledge Director, Department of
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Agriculture, Kingdom of Tonga; Dr. B.H McArdle,
6
20 Department of Zoology, University of Auckland; and
4 Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
10
2
0 References
0 1 2 3 4 Overall Percentage Bailey, P., O’Sullivan, D., and Perry, C. 1977. Effect of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Uninfected Lightly infected Heavily infected artificial defoliation on coconut yields in Papua New
Trees Damaged 1971 Trees Damaged 1978 Total number of Beetles Percentage infected
Guinea. Papua New Guinea Agric. J. 28, 39-45.
Bedford, G. O. 1980. Biology, ecology, and control of palm
Figure 2. Percent of damaged Coconut Palm Figure 4. Percentages of OrNV status/effectiveness of rhinoceros beetles. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 25, 309-339.
Trees observed in 16 zones from 1970 and 1978. Rhinoceros Beetle count.