War On The Beetle
p. 102 · Read in the full issue
Predator Established in Micronesia
ROBERT OWEN, Chief Entomolo gist for the US Trust Territory of Micronesia, reported on August 7 the finding of a female Scolia Ruficornis wasp at Koror, in the Palau Islands. This event marked an important advance in the fight against the Rhinoceros Beetle.
In the Palau Islands, the only area in which the beetle is known to exist in Micronesia, more than one-half of the coconut palms have been destroyed by the beetle.
Through the co-operative efforts of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Forestry, the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, the Inverte brate Consultants’ Committee of the Pacific Science Board, and the Gov ernment of the Trust Territory, Scolia wasps were introduced into the Palau Islands —the first in 1947 and the last in 1951.
The Scolia wasp destroys the beetle.
The finding of the wasp indicates that it has become established in the islands. Still to be determined, however, is the rate at which the wasp will multiply in this environ ment. It is hoped that it will de velop rapidly and that it will be come an important factor in control of the Rhinoceros Beetle. — Micro nesian Monthly.
if Mr. Robert Munro has retired from his position as chairman of the Suva City Planning Board; his posi tion will be taken by the Director of Lands, Mr. R. V. Cole, ff Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was wel comed home from the Coronation at a series of Fijian receptions early in October.
fl The senior Broadcast Officer for the Department of Education in Papua-New Guinea, Mr. P. Coch rane, visited the Sepik area in Oc tober to take recordings of native songs, dances and folklore. The mat erial is for the Native People’s' Session, broadcast daily over 9PA Port Moresby.