With several vehicles going up in flames for unexplained reasons in the State, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has launched a study on the suspected role of a ‘miscreant’ beetle behind such mishaps.
The Asian (or granulate) ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, a commonly-found variety of ambrosia beetle in the State, is known to bore fuel pipes and lead to fuel leaks causing automobile fire.
The species is also feared to become pests to natural rubber trees, a vital cash crop in the State.
