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Untersuchungen über mikrobielle Begrenzungsfaktoren von Populationen des Indischen Nashornkäfers, Oryctes rhinoceros (L.), in SO‐Asien und in der Südsee 1, 2
Author(s) -
Huger Alois M.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
zeitschrift für angewandte entomologie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0044-2240
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1966.tb04323.x
Subject(s) - rhinoceros , biology , instar , veterinary medicine , pest analysis , biological pest control , botany , zoology , larva , medicine
Summary In the course of a research programm in cooperation with the South Pacific Commission (Noumea, New Caledonia) on the biological control of rhinoceros beetles ( Oryctes spp.) which are serious pests of palm trees, the author conducted investigations on the pathology of Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) in Malaya, North‐Borneo, Viti‐Levu (Fiji), and Upolu (Western Samoa). During these studies a new virus disease of this pest was discovered in Malaya. In populations the disease may rise to epizootic proportions. As shown by electron microscope investigations, the mature virus is rod‐shaped with a mean size of 195 × 70 mμ. It was recently named Rhabdionvirus oryctes Huger. Virus reproduction mainly takes place in the nuclei of fat‐body cells. Third instar larvae infected via the peroral route generally succumb to this so‐called “Malaya disease” within the period of 1–4 weeks p. i. About 1–3 per cent of the specimens of the Oryctes populations investigated in the above cited countries showed signs and/or symptoms of infection by the fungus Metarrhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sorokin. ‐ The results are discussed, and suggestions for future control measures are given.