Beetles attracted by ethanol in fuel found responsible for fuel leakage and safety issues

KANNUR: Motor vehicle dealers will launch campaigns to curb the menace of vehicle fires after it was discovered that just like problems with extra fittings, beetles that drill into fuel pipes and leak petrol can cause vehicle fires.

Dealers in Kannur and Kasaragod districts have informed auto companies about the beetle problem in Malabar.

The entomology department of Vellayani College of Agriculture found that the psilosandrus species beetles of the Scolitidae family, with a size of only 2.5 mm, are a threat to human life as they cause fuel leakage.

This was confirmed after Koyodan Pavithran, who runs an automobile workshop at Karivelloor's Anoor, caught the beetles and handed them over to Dr K M Sreekumar, entomologist of Padannakkad Agricultural College, for examination. Scolitidae beetles, which nest in softwood, are attracted to the ethanol in gasoline and make holes through the rubber hose from the tank to the engine. These beetles have thicker mouthparts. They can drill through wood, hardwood, rubber and some metals.

They usually make small holes in the hose to drink petrol and stay there. Pavithran said that the scientists informed that the presence of petrol in the beetles examined by the entomology department of Vellayani Agricultural College was surprising. Three or four such cases arrive at Pavithran's workshop every day.

Complaints

Many complaints have been received by the National and State Human Rights Commissions urging action to prevent these beetles. The commission is investigating the complaints.

Check before leaving

This problem can be detected by starting the vehicle and giving the accelerator a good push before driving. If there is a strong gasoline smell, the leak is almost certain. If the hole in the pipe is too big, the fuel will leak out.