Black bug terrorizes Tayug
TAYUG–The tiny black bugs that threatened the rice fields here have now invaded homes and shopping malls, sending alarm bells throughout the town.
Franklin Nera, municipal agricultural officer, said the black bug about the size of the end of a man’s little finger, initially attacked rice fields in 21 barangays but caused minimal damage as most farmers have already harvested their palay.
The bugs attack the roots and stems of palay until they die.
However, the pests, believed to have been blown in by the wind or transported here by rice traders from the neighboring province of Nueva Ecija, are attracted to light and thus reached residential and commercial areas.
Residents have resorted to switching off their lights early in the night to avoid being swarmed by the insects.
Workers of the Magic Mall Tayug reported having collected half a bag full of black bugs inside the establishment last Tuesday night.
The black bug has a strong offensive smell like bed bugs.
Nera said they have been advised by the Provincial Agriculturist Office to undertake biological control measures instead of using highly toxic pesticides to eradicate the bugs.
He added that the four boxes of biological control spray intended for use in the farms is not enough to cover all the areas that are now infested.
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