INFECTION OF THE COCONUT PALM BEETLE, XYLOTRUPES-GIDEON (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE), BY A NONOCCLUDED BACULOVIRUS

Xylotrupes gideon L., a pest of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.), was naturally infected by a nonoccluded baculovirus. The virions are r od-shaped, enveloped and have rounded ends with dimensions of 154-185 x 62-69 nm (average 173 x 66 nm) in thin sections. The rod-shaped nucl eocapsids with square ends measured 100-112 x 23-29 nm (average 108 x 27 nm). From its morphology and cytopathic effects, the virus very muc h resembled the nonoccluded baculovirus of the coconut rhinoceros beet le, Oryctes rhinoceros, an effective biocontrol agent against this pes t. Virus isolated from naturally infected X. gideon and O. rhinoceros beetles cross-infected both hosts.