Agriculture.ph Blog

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Brontispa longissima,or coconut-leaf beetle, has invaded the coconut trees in nine barangays here, prompting emergency measures to prevent the destructive pest from spreading to other parts of the city.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said the infested barangays are Bunguiao, Cabatangan, Curuan, Lunzuran, Pasonanca, San Roque, Sta. Maria, Tumaga and Vitali—the latest.

Palacat’s office is about to survey how many coconut trees the leaf beetle has actually plagued. Palacat said his office has created Task Force Brontispa to help the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) contain and eliminate the Brontispa longissima infestation in the city.

Task force head Carlito Rubares has advised the farmers to report new trees the leaf beetle has infested.

“[The farmers] have to be vigilant so that we can help save our coconut industry,” Palacat said.

The coconut leaf beetle feeds on young leaves and damages seedlings and mature coconut palms.

In the last three decades, the beetle has become a serious threat to coconut trees in the Pacific region, especially in Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vietnam, Nauru, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Maldives, Myanmar, Hainan Island and Aru Islands and, most recently, the Philippines.

Brontispa longissima came to the Philippines in 2004 through imported ornamental plants.

Written by Bong Garcia / Reporter

Source: Written by Bong Garcia / Reporter