Widespread Red-Striped Soft Scale Infestation Hits Visayas
BACOLOD CITY — The red-striped soft scale insect infestation is rapidly expanding across sugar-producing plantations in the Visayas. The affected area surged dramatically from 87 hectares on May 22 to 1,505 hectares by June 18, local sources said.
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona reported that Negros Occidental suffered the worst impact. This red-striped soft scale infestation can slash sugar content by almost 50 percent, threatening the region’s sugar industry.
At present, about 1,490 hectares of sugarcane fields in Negros Occidental have been infested. Meanwhile, 15 hectares in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Oriental were also affected. “While this is still a fraction of the total sugarcane area, the rapid spread is alarming,” Azcona noted in an interview on June 19. He added that actual infestation figures might be higher since some farmers have begun their own treatments and have not reported to the SRA.
Early Signs of Recovery and Call for Reporting
On a positive note, 97 hectares under close monitoring have shown promising signs of recovery. Azcona urged all sugar groups and farmers to promptly report infestation details to the SRA or their respective Mill District Development Committees. Accurate data will help authorities understand the infestation’s full scope and craft effective countermeasures.
“We also urge local government units, especially in heavily affected areas, to declare a state of calamity. This declaration will fast-track the procurement and distribution of necessary pesticides,” he emphasized. The Department of Agriculture has already approved a P10 million budget for pesticide purchase, but the lack of comprehensive data limits how the funds can be best utilized.
Understanding the Red-Striped Soft Scale Infestation
The red-striped soft scale insect is a sap-sucking pest that targets the lower leaves of sugarcane plants and gradually moves upward as the infestation worsens. According to agricultural experts, the pest secretes a sticky substance called honeydew, which encourages the growth of black sooty mold. This mold makes the plants appear unhealthy and dirty.
The infestation causes yellowing, drying, and wilting of sugarcane leaves, significantly weakening the plants and reducing crop health. Experts warn that if left unmanaged, the red-striped soft scale infestation can spread rapidly from one farm to another, jeopardizing entire plantations.
Government Response and Urgency
The Department of Agriculture’s P10-million allocation aims to support quick emergency responses, focusing on sugar farms managed by land reform beneficiaries. Efforts are underway to contain the infestation promptly to prevent any disruptions in sugar supply.
“We must halt the infestation immediately because Negros produces the majority of the country’s sugar. The region has approximately 250,000 hectares planted with sugarcane,” Azcona stressed.
The presence of the red-striped soft scale insect was first noticed in late March in northern Negros Occidental. By May 22, it was officially declared an infestation after spreading across more than 87 hectares, sources noted.
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