The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI ) infestation has expanded to more than 1,505 hectares from 87 hectares in less than a month, with the bulk of the areas hit located in Negros Occidental, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported on Thursday, June 19.
The RSSI has hit 1,490 hectares in Negros Occidental, and the rest in three other provinces – Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Oriental, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said.
“While this is still a fraction of sugar cane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome and I believe that the real data can even be bigger as there are farms that have started their own remedy without reporting the matter to SRA,” he said.
On a positive note, Azcona said there are 97 hectares monitored to have been recovering and that is a good sign.
Azcona said he is urging all sugar groups and farmers to report the extent of infestation in their farmlands to the SRA or through their Mill District Development Committees to provide a better picture on how to resolve the situation.
”We are also urging the local government units, especially in highly infested areas, to declare a state of calamity as this will help us in expediting procurement of pesticides that can be immediately distributed to help abate this infestation,” Azcona reiterated.
“The DA has approved a P10 million allocation for pesticide purchase but without the proper data, our hands are tied as well on how best to approach this situation and curb the spread of the RSSI,” he added.
The Philippine Sugar Research Foundation Inc . (PHILSURIN) said RSSI is a sap-sucking pest that feeds on the lower leaves of sugarcane and moves upward as the infestation progresses.
The pest produces a sticky substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold — making the plants appear dirty and unhealthy, it added.
RSSI is a concern because it causes yellowing, drying, and wilting of sugarcane leaves, and weakens the plant and affects overall crop health.
It can spread quickly from one field to another if left unmanaged, PHILSURIN said.*