BPI-CPMD and RCPC conduct Field monitoring and validation of onion armyworm infestation in Region IV-B

Published by Crop Pest Management Division  2024-02-23

The monitoring team of BPI-Crop Pest Management Division together with the RCPC chief and technical staff of DA-Regional Crop Protection Center IV-B, and the Munipal Agriculture Offices conducted pest monitoring and validation on pest and diseasesof onion . Also, the team visited the installed pheromone traps for onion armyworm and cutworm in three municipalities in the province of Occidental Mindoro, namely San Jose, Magsaysay, and Rizal on February 19-23, 2024.

A total of 30 sites were monitored and validated for the presence of onion pests. During field observation, there were initial damages from onion armyworm and cutworm in the aforementioned municipalities. According to farmers, their practice was to irrigate the farm, spray with pesticides, and install pheromone traps to minimize pest infestations. The team, along with farmers, surveyed their fields and taught them the correct identification, familiarization, and differentiation of the morphological characteristics of onion armyworm and cutworm.

Moreover, the team provided agricultural supplies such as pheromone lures, biopesticides, and pesticides to onion farmers. Lastly, the team gave a briefing and an awareness campaigns for the possible control measures to manage the said insect pests.

The farmers said that one of the challenges nowadays is the water shortage in their area due to El Nino.Hence, the team encouraged them to continuously monitor their fields and immediately report any pests observed that cause significant damage to their respective LGU and RCPC because the climate now is conducive to pest upsurge.