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PCA addresses coconut leaf beetle infestation
The
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has tried to contain the
so-called coco leaf "hispine" beetle, scientifically
known as Brontispa Longissima Gestro, that infested at least
two barangays of Baclayon town.
The
move to get rid of the pest was apparently in response to
the directive from no less than President Arroyo, said Timoteo
Lago, Jr., PCA provincial officer.
In
an interview with Contact Point over DyRD, Lago said his personnel
have already treated a total of 789 coco trees in barangays
Laya and Cabanac, where these pests were first detected.
The
containment measure was also undertaken with the help of the
Department of Agriculture, provincial agriculture technical
coordinating office, Regional Crop Protection Center, and
local government unit of Baclayon, PCA said.
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Lago
admitted that this type of pest, which is as tiny as
a firefly, has threatened the precarious coconut industry
of more than 89,000 hectares in the province.
This
beetle is "flat and slender measuring about 7.5
to millimeters long and 1.5 to 2 mm wide. The color
is generally black except for the yellow-orange to red
color of the neck and basal portion of the wing. The
larva stage lasting for about 36 days and adult lasting
for 75-90 days are considered the most destructive.
The adult and its larva feed on the soft tissues of
young fronds of coconut seedlings and mature trees and
ornamental palms. They cause the decay and drying of
affected parts preventing the tree from bearing fruits
and ultimately killing the tree," said PCA press
release.
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Coconut
seedlings and oil palm trees or any palm species are vulnerable
to infestation of this pest, Lago said. But there was no report
yet that oil palm trees in some areas in bohol show infestation.
They
can be transmitted by hiding in any clothing or belonging
of a passenger coming here. PCA said that the source of this
pest is still unknown. But it could have entered the country
through the importation of ornamental palms from infested
countries in 2004.
Lago
warned coconut farmers to keep extra watch over their plantation
because the surge has already been experienced in the provinces
of Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Samar, Albay, Sorsogon,
Boracay and Pasay City. He urged them to report any unusual
signs of infestation.
Based
on Food and Agriculture Organization, the countries of Cambodia,
Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives
are already facing this menace that their palm trees are "heavily
infested," said PCA.
PCA
has been launching massive campaign informing the farmers
of the deadly pest and urging them in the barangays to report
any presence of unusual bugs or pests that might plague the
trees. And their campaign paid off when Baclayon folk responded
positively.
To
cure the affected trees, control measures are being undertaken
by the PCA to prevent them from spreading. These include "biological
control," mechanical means and application of chemicals
through trunk injection or drill-pour-plug method.
It
was learned that some municipalities have passed legislative
measures strictly prohibiting the bringing coconut specimen
from other provinces without pertinent papers. Those found
doing so are meted with penalties. (RVO)
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