mab.com.ph; July 6, 2012, 5:35pm

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has allotted P1.4 million to implement immediate and extensive measures to mitigate the scale insect infestation in affected areas in 41 barangays of seven towns in Batangas.

According to Administrator Euclides Forbes, PCA is continuously taking actions to prevent infestation to reach epidemic proportions so as not to affect nearby provinces like Laguna and Quezon.

The coconut scale insects are small insects which cause yellowing, wilting, premature nutfall and low yield because they continuously siphon off the plant sap with their specialized mouth parts. Thick sooty molds grow on the honeydew excreted by these insects, preventing photosynthesis.

The scale insects usually become problematic in coconut nurseries and in young palms. “They were observed on the underside of the coconut leaves in young palms but in bearing palms, the scale insects were found not only on the underside of the coconut leaves but also on the surface of the fruits and petioles,” said Administrator Forbes.

“We are already looking for sustainable long term solutions such as biological control which takes time to be established and be effective, for the reason that natural enemies become absent as a result of extreme conditions such as drought and typhoons,” Forbes said. He also added that PCA already released 700 individuals of predatory beetles that eat scale insects in the affected areas. It will be done continusly until all scale insects in the affected areas have been treated.

PCA is also pursuing the mechanical control. In young palms, the scale insects and mealybugs can be controlled manually by scraping them off or spraying them with a jet of soapy water. Washing infested plant parts or a brisk wash spray of water can be helpful in reducing populations, particularly in cases of small infestations and/or in young palms. Forbes also added that part of this mechanical control is leaf pruning and disposal of pruned leaves by burning, reducing the reproducing population population of the scale insects and mealybugs and prevents the spread to other areas.

Chemical control with contact or systemic insecticides can be used but is effective only for the crawler stage of the pest (or the very young scale insect). Furthermore, the use of insecticide spraying is applicable only for young palms and seedlings. “It is important to select appropriate insecticides, timing and application methods to reduce negative impact on the natural enemies but still get maximum control,” he noted.

Source: Budget Alloted For Coconut Pest