BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has confirmed cocolisap bug infestation in four areas of Negros Occidental, prompting local authorities to impose biosecurity measures.
Around 5,000 coconut trees in the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the towns of Murcia and La Castellana were affected, based on the PCA’s monitoring.
Cocolisap bugs feast on coconut leaves, fruits and flowers until only the trunk is left.
According to PestNet, a network that helps people obtain rapid advice for crop protection, cocolisap infestation in the country was first detected in 2009 in Batangas, although scientists traced its origin to Sangi Island in Indonesia in the 1920s.
Since then outbreaks of cocolisap had taken place in the country – the worst was in 2014 when as many as 2.1 million coconut trees were affected in the Calabarzon region and in parts of Mindanao.
Dr. Dina Genzola, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, said they, along with several partner agencies including the PCA, are continuing the investigation.
La Carlota City’s Mayor Rex Jalando-on, meanwhile, said their city agriculturist has already began training with the PCA as to how they could implement biosecurity measures.
The PCA maintains a Biological Control Laboratory in Barangay Mailum, Bago City.
Currently, local agriculturists and farmers are being trained to culture predators that specifically target pests. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
