A total of P1.7 million worth of rice fields were damaged following an infestation of rice grain bugs in southern Negros.

Reports released by provincial agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino, said a total of 34 farmers were affected by the infestation, with 37.58 hectares of farmland in Sipalay City affected.

Most of the damaged rice plants were in their reproductive stage, with the highest yield loss estimated at 100 percent.

Rice grain bugs resemble black ants and feed on rice by sucking out the contents of the developing grains.

Masculino said they distributed 25 packs of metarhizium, a fungus used as a microbial pesticide, to the Sipalay City agriculture office in order to counter the infestation.

He recommended local government units conduct information campaigns and regular monitoring in areas that are still in the tillering, or booting, stage./DGB, WDJ