In Samoa

[?] Oconut Pest

Eradication

Hunting the Rhino In Samoa

PERHAPS because of better publicity on the part of the authorities in Fiji, most people ink of that Colony as the only ace where any serious anti inoceros beetle campaign is in ogress.

In the April SPC Quarterly illetin, Mr. R. A. Cumber, South icific Commission entomologist, ows that a good deal is also being ine in Western Samoa which has en the home of the beetle for a uch longer period. The campaign ere is concentrated mainly on the operty of New Zealand Repara ms Estates, with a considerable nount of research being carried it in the field and at the new jriculture Department laboratory l the waterfront.

Research is directed towards the sting of possible chemical attract its, flight habits and range of ght—most important in relation quarantine problems, examin ion of the efficacy of existing con -51 methods, testing of insecticides, rashes, predators, and general eeding habits.

There has been frequent mention the past of the Fiji compost raps,” which are very liable to rn into efficient breeding in bators for the spread of the beetle .less they are regularly dug over d the “produce” destroyed.

Another type of trap is in use Samoa (and also in Fiji) which less has been written, coconut trunk is cut in lengths about 4 ft, each length being lit in two and the pieces laid ze down side by side. Such traps e placed at intervals along the undaries of the more heavily in ;ted areas of the plantations. The etles take to the air mainly be een 7 pm and 9.30 pm and are ;racted by the logs, into and under lich they promptly tunnel to mate d lay eggs. Regular inspection of e traps takes place.

The beetles so caught alive pro le a regular supply for research >rk in the insectary in Apia.

Mr. Cumber reports that pre iling weather conditions have an iportant effect on the habits of e beetles. In periods of heavy in, of say 3 to 4 inches in three ys, the majority leave the ground eeding places and take to the ,1m tops, and do not return until e weather becomes dry. Failure find beetles in the ground traps an almost certain sign that they e at their destructive work in the Ims. There are indications that

the general movement of beetles from palm to breeding place may also follow a cycle not associated with the weather. There are also signs that the beetles select their breeding grounds according to the lie of the land. Much research is going on in this direction in Samoa.

Mr. Cumber mentions that in studying the habits, individual beetles are caught and marked with coloured paints or sometimes radioactive substances, then released to see where they next show up.

Interesting is the observation that the siting of plantations seems to have an important bearing on whether the palms will be attacked.

A 380-acre area of plantation has been closely mapped and examined

during research into this aspect, sixty chemicals are currently bej ng tested for properties of attrac tion. Trays of chemicals are placed overnight in the insectary, each con taming a chemical. Results are based on the number of beetles found in each tray next morning.

Several types of insect and a fungus are undergoing tests as to their lethal powers against the beetle, Two types of bacteria from the United States which might prove effective in attacking the beetle's digestive system and breeding cycle are on iesi • . , . . . .

From all of which it is evident that a great deal of research into the beetle problem is taking place in Western Samoa.