7.5 years later:  I'm very happy to report that I have not lost one more palm to the ox beetle.  I lost three palms within 2 weeks in 2008 which was pretty devastating at the time.

I mulched my palms with rocks.  I cut the ends of cheap nursery pots, slipped it over the palm and used it to hold the rocks.    I also used hardware cloth for one palm, but wouldn't recommend it, because I left the hardware cloth in place for too long.

Recommendations for Control

After speaking to an Entomologist, he is recommending physical barriers as the method to control.

A friend of mine from the Palm Society has been using rocks as barriers.

Dr. Bogran also recommended using metal screening as a barrier.

Both methods prevent the insect from digging into the ground next to the palm.

The metal will also prevent entrance around the base of the palm.

Uprooted My Med Fan Palm

I uprooted my Med Fan Palm. Here is a close up of the cavity.

Link to International Palm Society discussion

Spanish Discussion With Awesome Graphics:

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=13694

I'm PricklyPear

My Yard: Yucca Ox/Rhinobeetle Photos

This Strategus Aloeus, carcus has been in my yard for several months. It is located 3 feet from the yucca. The remains of the yucca tuberous root are on the paper. It looks like it was shredded. Ox/Rhinoceros beetle hole is highlighted in red.

Annual Review of Entomology-Article

Annual Review of Entomology
Vol. 25: 309-339 (Volume publication date January 1980) (doi:10.1146/annurev.en.25.010180.001521)

Biology, Ecology, and Control of Palm Rhinoceros Beetles
G O Bedford

First page preview instead of abstract. Strategus is mentioned in first page.

Article is for subscribers or $20 per article.

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.en.25.010180.001521?journalCode=ento

Wikipedia-Article

Bactris Gasipaes a palm that is grown is South America. Pests list includes Strategus Aloeus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactris_gasipaes