Field Validation and Collection of Onion Armyworm Specimens in Region IV-B on April 15-18, 2024
Field Validation and Collection of Onion Armyworm Specimens in Region IV-B on April 15-18, 2024
Published by Crop Pest Management Division 2024-04-18
The Bureau of Plant Industry - Crop Pest Management Division (BPI-CPMD) together with the DA-Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), DA-Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD), and the technical staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) conducted fieldvalidations as well as collection of onion armyworm specimens in barangay Nasucob, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on April 16-18, 2024.The collected pest specimens (eggs and larvae of harabas) from selected farms were brought to the laboratory for research on the management against onion armyworm. During the interview, the farmers said that they used to spray systemic insecticides to suppress the said pest. The infestation started last February and since then, the onion plants have recovered due to their various practices and interventions.
The most common onion varieties used by farmers were Red Pinoy and Super Pinoy, and they are currently all at the harvesting stage. Farmers are hoping for a decent farm gate price since this is one of their issues. Also, interested farmers shared that they are willing to use pheromone lures for the next cropping season. The BPI and DA-RFO-IVB will visit again in the next season of onion to address their concerns regarding pest and disease management.
