Cotton Mealy Bug infesting crops
in the East

By Nizla Naizer

The Cotton Mealy Bug (Phenacoccus Solenopsis Tinsley) which was identified as a new species of alien mealy bugs that have the potential of severely affecting crops has been observed in vegetable crops in the Sittandy area near Batticaloa.
According to Eastern University, Head of the Department of Zoology, Dr. Laxmi Vinobaba, the bug is infesting chilli, brinjals and okra (lady’s fingers) crops in particular. However, she stated that while the spread of the bug in some areas have been facilitated by the lack of rain, in most areas the lack of cultivation due to irrigation issues and the heavy use of pesticide have deterred its spread.
“We have observed the Cotton Mealy Bug in many home gardens and small-scale vegetable plots in the region around Batticaloa, however, due to the heavy use of pesticide in areas such as Vakarai, Karadavalei and Mailambavali the infestation of the crops were not observed,” she informed. These areas along with Sittandy produce the biggest harvest of vegetables in the Eastern Province.
In the Sittandy region, Dr. Vinobaba explained that most of the farmers were women who had no resources to obtain the pesticides being used elsewhere. The Cotton Mealy Bug was first discovered in July last year and is believed to have entered Sri Lanka through imported products as it was not previously observed in the island.
Dr. Vinobaba explained that the bug is ‘definitely a threat’ to the crops in the area if it continues to spread and said that they will work with the Department of Agriculture to observe the situation closely.