THE coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important crop, globally. There is growing demand for it with limited supply. As such, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is encouraging farmers to increase production to tap into this financially beneficial market.

Like many crops, coconut palms also come under attack by pest and diseases. NAREI has been working with our farmers to take an integrated approach towards pest and disease management which involves proper farm sanitation to using chemicals in a controlled manner.

One pest that is affecting coconut palms internationally as well as locally is the Strategus aloeus (coconut cockle). Strategus aloeus, coconut cockle, is a species of a rhinoceros beetle. It takes between 11 and 17 months to complete one life cycle.
The adults attack palms up to four years old by tunnelling into the soil near the palm and then boring their way into the plant, just above the roots. Often, the growing point is reached, and palm death occurs. Coconut cockle infestation peaks at the beginning of the rainy seasons. This pest also serves as a vector of several coconut diseases like red ring disease.

The “major” males of this species have three large horns on their thoraces, resembling the Triceratops. The “minor” males have horns, as well, but the two back ones are small and the frontal horn is much shorter than the horn in major males. The female cockle has a very short horn which has little use in fighting, but is used for digging in the ground.

The larvae of this species feed on roots in the ground, while the adults feed on flowers and all sorts of fruit. The larvae take around four to six months to reach the pupal stage. The pupal stage can be shortened in captivity by placing the pupae in a warm area.

Farmers could use inisan to combat this pest.