Using Extracts of Coconut Palm Leaves and Shoots as Lure for Rhinoceros Beetles: A Preliminary Study

Abstract (EN)

Coconut palm pest infestation is a major problem for farmers. The rhinoceros beetle is a common pest. Severe infestations of rhinoceros beetles can even result in coconut trees dying. Synthetic rhinoceros beetle pheromones, used to lure rhinoceros beetles into traps, are commercially available but are expensive. Here the possibility of deriving extracts from parts of the coconut palm to use as lures to replace the commercially available lure was studied. Extracts were derived from the leaves and the young shoot of the coconut palm and tested for their ability to lure rhinoceros beetles, with the commercially available lure used as a control in the tests. It was found that extracts from coconut shoot were effective in attracting rhinoceros beetles at a level similar to synthetic rhinoceros beetle pheromones. The use of extracts from coconut shoot in place of commercially available synthetic rhinoceros beetle pheromones is therefore recommended as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative for coconut farmers.