Oryctes rhinoceros beetles were infected with an Indian isolate of Oryctes baculovirus and released into the wild population of O. rhinoceros in Minicoy island (India) for the biological suppression of rhinoceros beetle. The virus disease had established itself within 9 months and suppressed the pest population to low levels. Consequently pest damage to coconut palms also declined. A low level of pest population was maintained by the virus disease even after 3.5 years, following the introduction of Oryctes baculovirus into Minicoy island.
