PCA discovers pest nemesis of Brontispa

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has discovered new parasitoid insects which could prove to be of great importance in the country’s continuing battle against Brontispa longissima which has previously attacked more than 1.6 million coconut trees nationwide.

“Our research center in the Davao City has identified two indigenous small insects that parasitize Brontispa by laying their eggs in the larva or pupa of the pest” PCA Administrator Oscar G. Garin said.

He said the PCA-Davao Reseach Center conducted a study where a total of 1,948 parasitoid adults were released in infested barangays in Region XI and parallel laboratory tests.

“The parasitoids collected in the field inflicted about 30-50 percent parasitism on the pest’s larva or pupa” Garin noted, adding that laboratory results showed that seven to 47 adult parasitoids emerged from one larva/pupa 18 to 26 days from injection for parasitization.

“With the earwigs, we now have three indigenous species for biological control of this foreign pest” the administrator enthused as he underscored the need to adopt a long-term integrated pest management system.

Garin advised the use of chemical insecticides through trunk injection or spraying to be done only in severe cases and at first treatment, with the long term and sustainable approach to be comprised of biological control, use of entomophatogen fungi, good farming practices and strict quarantine controls.

“Our research centers are now mass rearing these parasitoids for immediate use in areas that may suffer recurrence of Brontispa infestation” he concluded.   – Coconut Media Service