USDA study reveals no mango pulp weevil in Guimaras Island

There is no Mango Pulp Weevil (Steronochetus frigidus, Fabr.) in Guimaras Island. This confirmed earlier survey done in 1993 by the United States Department of Agriculture' Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.

This was reported to Plant Industry Director Blo Umpar Adiong, CESO II by Dr. Hernani Golez, Agricultural Center Chief III and E.G. Gaitan and N.F. Zamora both Agriculturists II of the Plant Industry's Guimaras National Research and Development Center in Jordan, Guimaras.

Citing reports of Golez, Gaitan and Zamora, Adiong said a detection survey was done to determine the existence and or absence of the mango pulp weevil in random collection and dissection of fruits. Some 4,859 trees from the whole island were taken samples with 48,590 mango fruits dissected.

Adiong added not a single specimen of the pulp weevil either egg, larvae, pupae and adult was observed, confirming the absence of the weevil in the whole island-province.

Guimaras which was earlier declared in 1993 as a Special Quarantine Zone, an area from Mango Seed and Pulp Weevils, is also known as the Mango Island Province. It possesses the physical attributes considered favorable for mango production. Its own Carabao or Manila Super mangoes have very distinct characteristics - plump almost unfibrous cheek with almost wafer-skin stone. They are very sweet.

Adiong also said that aside from being pest-free and with better quality, Guimaras harvests mangoes throughout the year, with high concentration from December to May. Fruit harvest is high during March and April, having a combined aggregate yield of 1,849 mt which is approximately 39 percent of the annual yield.

He further said that the BPI technologies being generated by the bureau station and being used by the farmers augers well for the growth of the mango industry in the island.