Boracay, October 1, 2007. Do your coconut and other palm tress look tired, brown and don’t have that lush green and strong look? That’s maybe the salt water brought by monsoon winds, isn’t it? Wrong. Your palm trees are under attack by the coconut beetle Brontispa Longissima, which has already infected more than 2,000 trees in the island. The area around boat station 2 has even an infection rate of more than 60 percent of all palm trees. Have a look for yourself…
We quote here a PDI article published September 27, 2007, by Nestor P. Burgos Jr.: “Two top tourist destinations are suffering the brunt of the coconut pest infestation that threatens the country’s coconut industry.
The coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa longissima) infestation has spread to eight regions and 23 of the country’s 79 provinces but Palawan and Boracay islands are the worst hit, said Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Oscar Garin Sr.
Garin said the beetle had infested 47,000 trees in Palawan and 2,000 trees on the island-resort of Boracay.
Garin said the pest was brought into the country through imported ornamental palms, which were first seen along Roxas Boulevard. It spread later to tourist destinations like Palawan and Boracay where the palms were sold.”
What is done on Boracay?
In a series of meetings and consultations with the private sector and various government organizations in the island, the Philippine Coconut Authority, together with the Bureau of Plants and Quarantine and the Agriculture office of Malay, LGU, agents have been going around the island treating coconut trees and susceptible palm trees with Actara, a chemical designed to eradicate the pest. Owners of private establishments have also taken action by treating their own trees in order to ensure the survival of the coconut trees and palm trees which are part of the landscape and natural attractions of this tourist destination. With the assistance of the provincial government of Aklan province, efforts are being made to save these trees from destruction and to contain the infestation in Boracay. The danger of infecting thousands of coconut trees in mainland Aklan remains a high possibility given reports that the infestation has already reached the Cagban area and continues to spread fast to the eastern and northern side of the island. Should this reach the mainland, the livelihood of thousands of coconut growers in the province and in the entire Panay island would be greatly affected and would in loss of income for so many marginal coconut growers who already live on subsistence levels.
The Coconut Leaf Beetle was first introduced into Boracay sometime 2004 through illegal methods employed by unscrupulous landscape contractors hired by resorts and hotels for their landscaping requirements. These infected plants came into the island without passing through quarantine and sadly, this has become a very big problem for the tourism industry of the island. In a race against time, the Brontispa Action Team is now conducting treatments for the coconut trees and the BCCI is calling upon all establishments as well as homeowners to cooperate with the Action Team in eradicating this pest. The beetle can be eradicated by both chemical such as Actara and Karate and natural means such as earwig-beetle and certain types of fungus.
How to treat infected trees
An infected tree can be detected by the color of its youngest branch at the center of the tree, according to an advisory from PCA. And: In infected normal coconut trees, young fronds appear brownish while the outer older fronds are usually still green. Both larvae and adults of the beetle feed on tissues of developing, unopened leaves of the trees. The beetle can cause significant production losses, and high infestation levels may result in tree death.
According to PHILCOA each and every tree has to be treated or else the campaign would fail. The fruits of the coconut trees should be collected before the start of treatment. The chemicals Actara and Karate are absorbed by the plant systemically, and would spread to all parts of the tree including the fruits, which then cannot be used anymore for consumption. The treatment takes 3-4 months to fully take effect and eradicate the beetles.
The coconut trees are a valuable resource of Boracay and if the trees are allowed to wither away and die, this would greatly affect the tourism business in the island. To repeat a quote from a concerned citizen and businessman in the island: “What would Boracay be without the coconut trees swaying as the sun sets magnificently over the horizon?”
HOW TO FIGHT BACK
Assistance how to detect, confirm and fight the coconut killer beetle Brontispa Longissima, at the following contact addresses:
Government Assistance
Municipal Agriculture Office: 288 8748 or 288 8764
Private Sector Assistance
Jade Exotica: 288 5346 or 288 7082
The chemical ACTARA, which has to be injected into the coconut tree, is available at the island. Price: PHP 80 / 5g Sachet. The sachet is diluted in 1 Gallon of water, with which ≈ 40 trees can be treated.
