By Franklin P. Gumapon
ZAMBOANGA CITY – After Batangas, coconut scale insects have found their way to the
island-province of Basilan, prompting the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-9 to
conduct massive leaf pruning of infected coconut plants.
In a briefing held here
Friday for Information Center Managers (ICMs) of Philippine Information Agency
(PIA)-9, Rudy B. Corsame, PCA chief of Isabela City in Basilan, reported that
some 6,000 coconut trees in 15 barangays of said city got infested with scale
insect.
Scale insects
(Aspidiotus destructor), which are considered plant parasites, feed on the sap
from the plant’s vascular system resulting in the yellowing of leaves
progressing to drying and wilting in young and old palms. This pest also
attacks ornamental plants and fruit trees like mango, lanzones, mango,
mangosteen, guava, papaya, avocado and others.
To control the pest,
the PCA recommends leaf pruning of affected coconut trees to reduce its
reproduction and to prevent its spread to other areas. It also embarks on
biological control by releasing “coccinellid predators” that feed on scale
insects.
Local quarantine
regulations shall also be strengthened to avoid the transport of infested
plants, coconut planting materials and other plants that may introduce the pest
to other non-outbreak areas.
PCA theorized that the
scale insect outbreak was wrought by “imbalance or loss of natural enemies” due
to excessive use of pesticides or by natural causes such as long drought and
climate change.
Reports reaching the
Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 said scale insect had attacked fruit trees
particularly lanzones in some parts of Zamboanga Peninsula. However, the
Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 is still investigating the said report.
For its part, PIA-9 led
by Regional Director Noemi Edaga has assured both the PCA and DA of its help in
their information campaign on the prevention and control of scale insect
infestation. (PIA9)