Observations of seed penetration action by the date stone beetle Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Date stone beetles (Coccotrypes dactyliperda Fabricius, 1801) tunnel into palm seeds to establish brood galleries with their larvae consuming the seed rsquo;s albumen. Based on behavioural observations this paper describes the biomechanical parameters that govern the initial excavation of the tunnels and the establishment of the brood galleries.