Sineguelas Leaf Beatle (SLB), which caused up to 70% yield loss for sineguelas farmers in 2019, can be potentially managed through an entomopathogen, white muscardine fungus (Beauveria bassiana). This fungus can be found in the soil and infects the pest during its pupal stage.
Entomopathogens, which can be bacterial, fungal, or viral, are natural agents that regulate, kill, or disable insect pests.
This was the initial result of the project, “Integrated Management of Sineguelas Leaf Beetle (Podontia quatuordecimpunctata L.) (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) an Introduced and Emerging Pest of Sineguelas (Spondias purpurea Blanco) in Batangas,” being implemented by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. IV-CALABARZON (DA-RFO 4A) under the leadership of Dr. Orlando A. Calcetas.
With the project nearing its completion, Dr. Calcetas and his team are looking into mass production of the white muscardine fungus for dissemination to SLB-infested areas.
The team is also looking at the efficacy of other biological control agents and insecticides against adults and larva SLB.
Dr. Calcetas shared that his team studied the host range of the pest in the laboratory at the Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI-LBNCRDC). They found that major crops, such as mango, cashew, rubber, and pili are marked safe from SLB.
They hope to produce an information, education, and communication (IEC) material on integrated pest management (IPM) for SLB that will serve as a guide for sineguelas farmers in the country.
These were the project accomplishments reported during the field monitoring visit by the Crops Research Division (CRD) of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
The DOST-PCAARRD team visited the experimental sites of the project in three barangays (Brgy. Sto. Niño, Brgy. Malalim, and Brgy. San Miguel) in Batangas City where sineguelas production is one of the major sources of livelihood of the local farmers.
The field monitoring visit was conducted by DOST-PCAARRD’s Commodity Specialist for Sineguelas, Ms. Ma. Cecilia S. Alaban, with IEC staff, Ms. Danica Louise C. Sembrano.