ryctes commonly called as the ‘Rhinoceros beetle’ or the ‘Coconut black beetle”.

• Adult beetle is deep black or reddish – black and stout.

• It has a prominent head process called, Cephalic horn.

• It is long and pointed in male and short and stumpy in female.

• Fore wings are hard, thick and cuticular and are not used in flight.

• They simply cover and protect the membranous hind wings and hence are called Tegmina (Wing covers).

• Mouth – parts are of the biting and chewing type, specilised for feeding on the soft tissues of the host palm.

• Oryctes is a persistent coconut pest.

• Life cycle involves indirect development and complete metamorphosis.