Agri Dept. raises alarm over rice black bug in Northern Samar

The Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it is trying to save rice crops in Northern Samar from black bugs and avert potential damage estimated at P2.4 billion.
 
“We are doing our best to control the spread of the pest,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who noted, “Mitigation measures have been put in place and we are hastening the construction of the Metarhizium Satellite Laboratory in Irawahan, Catubig to produce, on a commercial scale, biocontrol agents.”
 
The new lab in Catubig will support the other lab in Catarman town in meeting the need for bioagents against rice black bug or RBB.
 
If not properly addressed, the infestation could adversely affect production in the region, the Agriculture chief said.
 
At least 29,434 hectares of land is planted to rice in Northern Samar, producing 79,000 metric tons or 1.7 million sacks of palay.
 
Fifty-five light traps were distributed by local government units to control black bugs that are attracted to light and are affected by moon phases.
 
Alcala, who visited Northern Samar and Leyte province, said in a statement Thursday that 17 of 24 municipalities are now infested by RBB.
 
According to Philippine Rice Research Institute, RBB remains a highly invasive pest in some regions it first broke out in 1982.
 
“Time and again, RBB outbreaks occurred in various rice-growing provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, resulting in 15 to 23 percent yield loss. Thriving primarily in rice, RBB is one of the most difficult pests to manage because its alternate hosts are crops grown together with or after rice such as okra, corn, and taro,” the institute said.
 
The bugs used to feed solely on decaying materials, but some species have evolved to feed on plants. Thus, the institute suggested that farmers pluck out rice stubble and practice clean cropping methods and synchronize their planting season with good irrigation.
 
The institute also suggested that farmers raise ducks that feed on RBB, and use only botanical solutions or natural pesticides as well as light traps against the bugs. — VS, GMA News