Rice black bugs spread to 18 towns

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – After infesting 13 towns and Passi City in Iloilo province, the rice black bugs have continued to spread, now affecting 18 towns.

Last week, black bugs were reported in the rice fields of Passi City and the towns of Sara, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Lemery, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Janiuay, Pototan, Leganes, Ajuy and San Enrique—the last two of which were most affected.

These four recently-affected towns were Barotac Viejo, Dumangas, Badiangan and Zarraga.

The Provincial Agriculture Office, however, advised farmers not to panic because these bugs can be eliminated via light trap or biological control using the micro-organism spray, called metarhizium anisopliae, which paralyzes then kills the pest. (FREEMAN)