The Philippine Coconut Authority has intensified its campaign to undertake emergency measures to wipe out the coconut leaf beetle scientifically known as the Brontispa longgissima, from spreading to more than 80,518 hectares of coconut farm in Negros Oriental.
The destructive pest infested more than 11,550 fruit and non-bearing coconut trees planted on more than 113 hectares of coconut farms in six areas in Bayawan City.
PCA Provincial Manager Brendan Trasmonte said areas that were heavily infested were Barangays Tabuan, Villareal, Tinago, Boyco, Suba and Tabuan, all in Bayawan. Infestation has spread to nearby barangays, and particularly in the boulevard of Bayawan.
Treatment is being done on 6,493 coconut trees. This includes spraying with “karate” chemicals, pruning, and cut-and-burn to contain the spread of the invasive pests, said Trasmonte.
This invasive pest is a new malady of the coconut, which is presumed to have entered the country thru importation of ornamental palms. It causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees as well as ornamental palms by destroying the young spears and eventually the whole palm.
It spreads rapidly and if not properly controlled and eradicated, it could severely affect, if not wipe out, our coconut industry to the detriment of coconut farmers and farm workers, PCA official cited.
Scientists from the Davao Research Center are being invited to conduct a week-long training to coconut farmers, for the culture of parasitoids to combat the Brontispa.
In a press conference held recently, researcher Vivencio Gallego, Chief Crop Protection Division of PCA based in Davao City explained that an indigenous wasp or parasitoid has been multiplied to feed on the pupae of the Brontispa beetle to prevent the proliferation of the beetle.
The team of Gallego has conducted trainings to coconut farmers, for the culture of parasitoids to combat the Brontispa in Bayawan City.
Trasmonte also called on barangay officials especially the coconut farmers and farm workers in the province to report to PCA if they have detected any signs of damage to coconut trees in their areas, and to ask for technical assistance. (PIA/JCT)