Coconut Scale

Insect Outbreak --

CALABARZON

March 2014 Report

Historical Background

• Earliest report of outbreak; Tanauan, Batangas 2010

• Philippines Coconut Authority (Mr. Alfiler) conducted

research on the nature of the outbreak and possible

control (DA BAR funded) 2011

• UPLB taxonomist initially identified the scale insect as

Aspidiotus destructor a species that is endemic to the

country (however it was found later to be a new species

in the country.) 2011

• Origin and entry of new CSI – Humans/Air/Animals?

• PCA with funding grant from CIIF supported “ Batangas

UPLB Volunteers” to conduct area-wide spraying of

banana oil in Batangas, 2012

Historical Background

• DA – PCA/BPI initiated mass production of biological

control agents and release in the field (2013)

• PCARRD funded PCA to research on extent of CSI field

infestation and chemical control (2013)

• DA thru SO organized SAGIP to coordinate, organize and

plan efforts on field operation and research (2013)

• PCA/PCARRD provided research funds to NCPC-UPLB

to work on the CSI species identity, biology and ecology,

biological control and chemical control (2013)

SICAP PROGRAM GOALSSICAP PROGRAM GOALSSICAP PROGRAM GOALSSICAP PROGRAM GOALS

1. Manage coconut with CSI outbreak

populations/areas to non-economically

CSI damaging levels

2. Manage spread of CSI to non-infested

coconut areas to prevent population

outbreaks

3. Provide alternative livelihood programs to

affected farmers

SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)----INFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZON

Infestation Level in the Farm based on PCA Survey (Year 2012-February 2014)

LOW - 1-10% of palms per hectare with scale

MEDIUM - 10-30% of palms per hectare with scale

HIGH - more than 30% of palms per hectare with scale

Cavite

Batangas

Laguna

Quezon

©JTFrancisco/CSI-PCAARRD Project

SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)SEVERITY RATING OF COCONUT SCALE INSECT (CSI)----INFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZONINFESTATION IN CALABARZON

Degree of Infestation of Tree based on PCA Survey (Year 2012-February 2014)

SLIGHT - 1-5 fronds with scale

MODERATE - 6-10 fronds with scale

SEVERE - More than 10 fronds with scale

Cavite

Batangas

Laguna

Quezon

©JTFrancisco/CSI-PCAARRD Project

Framework National Program

Strategies to Manage CSI Outbreak

Package of Strategies Intensity

of Infestation

Status/Accomplishment Strategic Actions

Farmers’ Active participation at the field level and LGU support

Outbreak 8 FFS established, 2 livelihood trainings conducted, IEC Materials distributed

FFS, Info Dissemination and Advocacy Campaign

Intermediate 4 FFS established, IEC Materials, biocon training conducted

FFS, Info Dissemination and Advocacy Campaign

Non-Infested Peripheral

IEC Materials distributed, radio program FFS, and Intensive Info Dissemination

Quick Action Program to address outbreak

Outbreak 20 Municipalities Affected 71,299 Recovering trees 497,694 Sprayed 149,257 Fertilized 50,000 seedlings distributed

Quarantine, Spraying of Cochin Oil Solution, Replanting, Fertilization of newly planted, Provision of intercrops

Intermediate 26 Municipalities Affected 66,544 Sprayed trees 8,274 Recovering trees 159,521 Released Bio-control Agents (PCA+BPI)

Quarantine, Spraying of Dishwashing Liquid/Detergent, Fertilization, Intercropping

Non-Infested Peripheral

0.4 km per month (4.80 km/year) estimated spread of pest

Establishment of quarantine checkpoints

Field Operation Accomplishment

Pest Outbreak Areas (2010-2013)

Infested (Non-Outbreak Areas)

Non-Infested (High Risk Areas)

With Spraying Operation

With Replanting of HYV of coconut

With Pruning Operation

With Fertilization

FIELD OPERATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000

BATANGAS

LAGUNA

QUEZON I

CAVITE

733,491

169,395

99,384

8,247

466,071

10,770

0

1,066

434,298

163,598

70,150

6,686

158,800

0

0

0

101,132

3,367

4,495

0

83,160

914

0

4,124

Recovering Trees Cut Fertilized Sprayed Pruned Infested Trees

Mitigating Measures

• Spraying of cochin + dishwashing was discontinued due to the low temperature these months of December, 2013 and January, 2014, instead the use of Crop Guard, a plant-oil based adjuvant was sprayed to outbreak areas in provinces of Batangas and Laguna.

• The use of effective and safe systemic pesticides was agreed by the task force to be able to avert the infestation in high elevation areas where water is scarce and spraying is inappropriate.

• The use of Dinotefuran was recommended by CPAP and shall be granted an emergency permit by FPA with the official request of PCA.

• Evaluation of other effective and safe systemic pesticides are on-going.

FARM REHABILITATION THRU FARMER FIELD SCHOOL

Nursery Establishment Dwarf Variety

Location of Quarantine

Checkpoints in Calabarzon

Pest Outbreak Areas (2010-2013)

Infested (Non-Outbreak Areas)

Non-Infested (High Risk Areas)

Quarantine (Checkpoints)

Mabitac, Laguna

Pagbilao, Quezon

Calapan, Mindoro

Lucena, Quezon

Cabuyao, Laguna

Batangas Pier

Posting of Billboards

Quarantine

(Existing Checkpoints in Pier)

Bacoor, Cavite

Star Tollway, Tanauan, Batangas

SURVEILLANCE AND QUARANTINE ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS STATUS

Formulation and publication of BPI

Quarantine Special Order for CSI

BPI-Quarantine facilitated the

drafting SO for immediate

issuance.

BPI Quarantine Special Order No.

1 was published in nation’s leading

newspaper 4th Quarter of 2013

Training of CSI quick response

team on surveillance and pest

management

Training on CSI Pest Management

and Surveillance was conducted

last Dec. 7-9, 2013

Delimiting surveys currently on-

going in high risk non-infested

areas.

Training and deputation of CSI

quarantine checkpoint personnel

Tapped the DENR and utilize

LGUs, PCA field staff and trained

farmers from CBFFS and

scheduled training on March 7,

2014.

The PCA shall oversee the hiring

of personnel and provision for the

establishment of checkpoints.

Identified CSI quarantine

checkpoints in land borders and

seaports and billboards in toll

expressways

Locations were identified. Among

these are the ports in Calapan,

Mindoro, Lucena, Quezon and in

Batangas; land borders in,

Pagbilao, Quezon, Mabitac,

Laguna, Star Tollway, Tanauan,

Batangas and Rosario, Cavite.

Billboards will be posted in Bacoor,

Cavite and Cabuyao, Laguna.

PhP 6M is the proposed budget for

the establishment and operation

of checkpoints.

Surveillance and Pest Mapping

• Delimiting Survey and Quick Response Pest Management System was established

• Maps of CSI-infested areas were generated to present the current status and spread of infestation in CALABARZON.

• Pest Mapping and Surveillance R and D studies generated spatial and temporal projections; correlation with wind direction and temperature was also established funded by PCAARRD-DOST (2013-2014)

SURVEILLANCE AND QUARANTINE

• Training and deputation of CSI quarantine checkpoint personnel was conducted by PCA and BPI-PQS last March 7, 2014.

• PCA has hired 18 personnel to man three checkpoints in Bacoor, Cavite, Pagbilao, Quezon and Mabitac, Laguna.

• Establishment of signage and checkpoints is expected to be finished by March 18, 2014.

• The checkpoints are expected to be operational before the end of March.

• BPI conducted deputation training for Batangas municipal agriculturist on March 11, 2012.

• Implementing Guidelines was prepared by the Task Force for submission to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Mass Production and Release of Biocontrol Agents

• Mass reared three species of coccinellid beetles and field released a total of 103,670 individuals

• Established 2 PCA, 2 LGUs, 01 RCPC, 01 BPI and to establish 02 SUCs biocon mass rearing labs.

• Release areas: Sampaloc, Mauban, Dolores, Lucena, Polilio, Tiaong, Pagbilao in Quezon, Tanauan, Laurel. Malvar, Lemery, Lipa, Talisay, Sto, Tomas, San Juan in Batangas

• Cavinti, Liliw, San Pablo in Laguna

INFORMATION CAMPAIGN AND MEDIA ADVOCACY

Proposed IEC Material

PUBLIC AWARENESS &

INFORMATION CAMPAIGN THRU

FARMER FIELD SCHOOL

FFS activities and participants

Financial AND collaborative

support 1. PCA allotted 50 M for the operations for 2014

2. PCAARRD-DOST supports the initial research aspect with a total budget of 4M

3. Batangas Province held a provincial wide consultation meeting with regards to the implementation of Quarantine Order and proposed CSI summit for comprehensive action programs.

4. Four municipalities in Batangas used the calamity funds to support the massive spraying and leaf pruning operations

5. Quezon Province thru the office of the Provincial Agriculturist organized the Provincial CSI Task Force.

6. Private Sectors supports the public awareness campaign thru the Crop Protection Association of the Philippines and other operation activities (i.e. Franklin Baker, Chemrez, CIIF)

PROBLEMS

• CSI Farm re-infestation and outbreak after chemical treatment

• Organic-based pesticide spray require repeated application to control outbreak

• Cochin resulted to phytotoxicity during hot days, and during cold months cochin solidify

• Difficulty of spray operation especially in mountain areas and farms with absentee owners

• Some farmers are happy to have their trees cut because they earn more

• Limited manpower to conduct massive field operation

• Time element to mobilize LGU and other agencies for field operation

• Fund mobilization because of COA rules

• Biological control agents not working (slow acting and not sure if it can effect sufficient control

PLANS

• Conduct massive simultaneous pesticide treatment in

outbreak, non-outbreak and quarantine zone

• Contract the field operation to third party who has the

manpower and technical expertise subject to COA rules

• Intensify research to look for more effective biological

control agents and how to use them

Field Operation Plans

OUTBREAK AREAS � TEA BAG METHOD (?)

� FIELD SURVEILLANCE

� ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD

� REPLANTING

NON-OUTBREAK (MEDIUM) BUT

INFESTED AREAS

� PESTICIDE SPRAY

� SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE

APPLICATION

� FIELD SURVEILLANCE

LOW INFESTATION

QUARANTINE AREAS

(NOT INFESTED BUT HIGH RISK)

� SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE

APPLICATION

� FIELD SURVEILLANCE

� QUARANTINE

Target Date: May 2014

Research – Species Identity

• Genetic Comparative Analysis CSI Outbreak Popn -

• 95% similar to A. destructor (99% required)

• >95% similar to Manado, Indonesia CSI species

• Banana scale insect ???

• Mangosteen scale insect ???

• Lanzones “scale insect” – different species

Taxonomy based on elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and 28s

ribosomal RNA (28s)

1. Majority of the outbreak populations were � 90-92% similar to A. destructor

� 96-97% similar to A. cryptomeriae

2. Some samples from Tanauan, Batangas and Tiaong, Quezon were � 99-100% A. destructor

3. Samples from Indonesia collected January 17-21, 2014

� Initial results indicate >95% similar to Malvar CSI samples

Taxonomy based on female morphology

No variations found in populations

BATANGAS

Banay-Banay, Sto.

Tomas

1.16

mm

1.16

mm

San Roque, Sto.

Tomas

1.07

mm

Tumaway, Talisay

Banjo East, Tanauan

1.20

mm

11.0

mm

Darasa, Tanauan Talaga Dos, Tanauan

1.10

mm

Poblacion, Tanauan

0.98

mm

Malinis,

Lemery

1.11

mm

Matigain

Lemery

1.08

mm

San Pedro 1,

Malvar

1.10

mm

Dita, Cuenca LAGUNA

Bitin, Bay

1.11

mm

QUEZON

Cabay, Tiaong

1.17

mm

Taxonomy

Implication of initial findings:

1. Another species of Aspidiotus is the

one causing the outbreak.

2. Quarantine coconut in Calabarzon.

Research – Life Cycle

• Egg – Adult : 30days

• Egg Laying Potential: 200 eggs per female (based on A.

destructor)

• Female: wingless and stationary

• Male: winged

• Insect covered with waxy scale

• “Needle-like” mouth inserted in leaf tissues and suck

juices

• Dispersal of the young (crawlers) – wind, birds etc…

Egg

Early Second Instar

Early Third

Instar

1st

Instar

“Crawler”

Late Second Instar

FEMALE MALE

Early Third

Instar

Late Third

Instar

Late Third

Instar

Fourth Instar

“Adult”

Adult

Life Stages of

Aspidiotus sp., a pest causing

outbreaks in coconut palms

in the Philippines, observed

by JEI De Luna

Egg

Early Second Instar

1st

Instar

“Crawler”

Late Second Instar

Life Stages of

Aspidiotus sp., a pest causing

outbreaks in coconut palms

in the Philippines, observed

by JEI De Luna

Research – Distribution

and Spread

• CSI individuals first establish in the basal portion of

fronds of the older leaves

• Next generation individuals spread towards the apical

portion of the fronds and towards the younger leaves

• Yellowing of leaves is often associated with outbreak

population level

• By the time CSI is on the apical portion of the frond,

those on the basal portion are dead

Population Ecology -

Population Ecology - Intra-Tree CSI Distribution

LOW

INFESTATION

MEDIUM

INFESTATION

HIGH

INFESTATION

Intra-Tree CSI Distribution

Implication of findings:

�Spraying should be concentrated near the base of the

frond.

�Pruning of palms not effective for medium and high

yellowing.

�Sampling methodology for Delimiting Survey

Population Ecology - Age Structure

PCA Infestation Rating

Population Ecology - Age Structure

Population Ecology - Age Structure

Population Ecology - Age Structure

Implication of findings:

�Yellowing of leaves should not be the sole indicator of

CSI infestation.

�Delimiting survey must be done in “high risk zones”

Research - Pesticide

• Active Ingredient:

• Banana Oil

• Vinegar

• Liquid Detergent

• Cochin (coconut oil)

• Neonicotinoids (Contact and Systemic)

• Method of Application:

• Spray

• Soil Drench

• Injection

• Root Inundation

Research - Pesticide

NEO NICOTINOIDS SYSTEMIC

(FPA Emergency Permit)

• Pesticide within plant translocation

• Pesticide effective concentration

• Pesticide residual effectivity period

• Pesticide residue in nuts

Chemical Control

Using systemic insecticides

Laboratory tests was set up last January 30

Rate of translocation in seedlings was studied when insecticide is applied by:

1. root infusion

2. stem injection

First mortality data was gathered last February 9, 214)

Chemical Control

ACTIVE INGREDIENT

MORTALIT

Y

Imidacloprid (0.2 g) *100.00

Imidacloprid (0.1 g) 29.59

Thiamethoxam (0.125 g) 21.38

Thiamethoxam (0.0625 g) 35.43

Dinotefuran (0.2 g) 16.59

Dinotefuran (0.1 g) 16.17

Indicator dye 16.72

Untreated Control 2.28

** Phytotoxicity

Chemical Control

Implication of findings:

�Trunk injection is a more efficient method than soil

drenching or root infusion.

�Techniques of trunk injection must be fine tuned.

Research – Biological

Control

• Evaluation and understanding how to use biocon agents

for effective control (4 Beetle species)

• Feeding Capacity

• Functional Response Analysis

• Behavior and movement

• Mass production technique development

• Search of other species of biocon agents from different

areas in the country/ or from other countries (?)

Biological Control using predatory beetles (Telsimia, Chilocorus)

�Efficient predator of CSI crawlers but not adult CSI

�Beetle more efficient predator than its larva

10 20 30 40 50

2nd instar predator 86.67 78.33 73.33 73.33 66.00

3rd instar predator 66.67 80.00 67.78 68.33 60.00

adult predator (prey : 2nd

instar CSI)70.00 85.00 93.33 95.00 83.00

adult predator (prey:

crawlers)100.00 100.00 95.56 94.17 92.00

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100%

kil

l

Functional response of Telsimia sp.

Biological Control using parasitoids

� 3 species of parasitoids collected from CSI in

Oriental Mindoro and Laguna (January –February

2014)

Biological Control using diseases

On-going tests

Biological Control

Implication of findings:

Beetle predator – Telsimia has a potential but needs

confirmation under field condition.

Prey preference studies need to be included.

Other Issues

• Coconut yellowing caused by plant pathogen (?)

• Coconut FUSARIUM WILT (?)

• Aerial Spraying (?)

• Public Information

Other Concerns

Are we prepared for similar

pest invasions in the future

???

THANK YOU MUCH ……..