DA eyes lacewing larvae vs sugarcane pest

BACOLOD CITY—The Department of Agriculture (DA) is conducting laboratory observations on lacewing larvae to evaluate their potential as a biological control agent against red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) that have caused widespread damage to sugarcane plantations on Negros Island.

The study being done by the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) in Negros Island Region is focusing on documenting the predatory behavior and feeding activity of the larvae against RSSI, as they are voracious predators known for their role in controlling aphid populations in agricultural fields.

The initiative forms part of the agency’s broader efforts to develop sustainable, science-based integrated pest management strategies using natural predators to suppress pest populations.

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The RCPC laboratory, according to the DA, is preparing for the mass production of lacewing larvae, with distribution to pest-affected areas planned to begin later this year.