DOI: 10.54207/bsmps1000-2005-jz81v5 ISSN:

Field Biology of Rhinoceros Beetle Oryctes rhinoceros L. on oil palm under south Gujarat condition

Sushil Kumar, Mukhtar Ahmad
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Seasonal biology of rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L. on Oil palm was studied in manure pits under field condition during January-November 2000 (Period I), February-November 2000 (Period II), March-November 2000 (Period III), April 2000 – February 2001 (Period IV) and May 2000 – January 2001 (Period V). Females laid 5 to 52 eggs singly at a depth of 9.72 cm in the moistened manure pits. The incubation period ranged from 6.75 to 11.60 days duration of first, second and third instar grubs varied from 18.40 to 27.20, 16 to 20.40 and 134 to 149.20 days, respectively. The total larval period (168.40 to 193.40 days), pre-pupal (7.20 to 16.20 days) and pupal period (15.60 to 33 days) was also found varied. Before emergence, beetle rests or remains inactive inside the cocoon for 9.20 to 15.80 days. The rate of successful adult emergence ranged from 83.39 to 90.63 per cent. The sex ratio however, varied from 1:1.12 to 1:1.46 with slight predominance of females. The average longevity of adult varied from 54.60 to 72.20 days for male and 51.80 to 69.40 days for female. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods ranged from 26.40 to 42.80, 11 to 14.60 and 10.80 to 18.40 days, respectively. The total life of male and female varied from 271.20 to 324.80 and 268.20 to 322 days, respectively.

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