Experts claim cocolisap pesticide lacks long-term research

Prominent scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños on Thursday warned against current government measures to control the outbreak of Aspidiotus spp., commonly known as Coconut Scale Insects (CSI) or cocolisap, particularly the injection of the pesticide Dinotefuran into the trunk.

 

The scientists already raised concerns in a roundtable discussion last March 13, organized by the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People and the Center for Alternative Development in Information Management and Consultancy Services.

 

Scale insect taxonomist Dr. Ireneo Lit Jr. noted the absence of long-term research on Dinotufuran.

 

“Research on the efficacy and safety of Dinotefuran against coconut pests is very limited. Hence, there is a need for further studies on economic and environmental impacts of this type of pesticide, especially because many neonicotinoids, a group to which Dinotefuran belongs, have been found to be toxic to honeybees and other organisms,” Lit said.

 

Agronomist Dr. Ted Mendoza said the use of trunk injected Dinotefuran is uncalled for since pesticides had a negative impact on pollinators.

Alternative

 

“There was not even a strong scientific study to prove that the affected trees treated with the said pesticide have been effective because Philippine Coconut Authority did not release a report detailing the effectivity of the trunk injection. Hence, the use of... pesticide must be discontinued,” Mendoza said.

 

Meanwhile, psyllid taxonomist and biological control expert Mario Navasero said there was a possible alternative to Dinotefuran.

 

“I strongly disagree with trunk injection and the importation of biological control agents. The PCA is saying that we need to import means to control CSI because we do not have a natural enemy in the country. But our discovery of Comperiella sp., a parasitoid wasp that we found in San Pablo City, Laguna is capable of controlling the population of CSI infestation,” Navasero said.

 

AGHAM Secretary General Feny Cosico added that Dinotefuran can be a threat to food security due to the possible loss of pollinators that are important in the food production system.

 

“With the use of Dinotefuran, the Philippine Coconut Authority has denied the farmers crucial information about the toxicological impact of Dinotefuran on the ecosystem, specifically on bee pollinators and the option to choose for pest control strategies according to their capacity and needs,” Cosico said. – Drei Medina/VS, GMA News