By CESAR JOLITO III
The Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has assured farmers that recent sightings of rice black bugs in Negros Oriental pose no serious threat to the region’s rice production.
DA-NIR Director Engineer Albert Barrogo said the monitoring showed the presence of rice black bugs in only four out of 10 rice fields sampled, with the pest population recorded at just 0.6 percent.
“The population level is very low and does not pose a significant risk to our rice plantations,” Barrogo said, noting that early detection allowed authorities to immediately plan preventive measures.
DA-NIR confirmed that the pest was detected at Barangay Maslog in Negros Oriental’s Sibulan town following a field inspection conducted on January 20.
As a precautionary measure, DA-NIR will conduct light trapping activities three days before and after the full moon on February 2 to further control potential pest movement.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental agricultural program coordinating officer Bernard Limbaga further explained that a field assessment covering 1.5 hectares revealed only one to two insects across 15 samples, confirming that the situation remains manageable.
“Based on our actual inspection of the rice paddies, the number of rice black bugs found is minimal. The situation is fully under control, and there is no need for farmers or the public to be concerned,” Limbaga pointed out.
Local seed grower Porferio Ejercito, whose land was among those inspected, welcomed the swift response of DA-NIR, saying early intervention is crucial to preventing crop damage.
DA-NIR also said the likelihood of the pest spreading to Negros Occidental is “very slim,” citing prevailing wind direction as a limiting factor.
Scotinophara coarctata, commonly known as the rice black bug, is a sap-sucking insect, notorious for causing severe yield losses by feeding on rice plants from tillering to ripening, especially in wet conditions, and known for its foul odor and mass swarming, often around lights during full moons.
Rice black bugs typically emerge during the dry season and may be carried by wind under certain conditions.
The agency urged farmers and agricultural stakeholders to remain vigilant and immediately report any unusual pest activity to local agriculture offices./CJ, WDJ