BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Integrated Laboratories Division (DA-CAR ILD) has introduced to the members of the San Andreas Strawberry Growers Association (SASGA) in Baguio City the use of lacewings larvae that will help control pests in their strawberry particularly mites, and improve production.
Samy Lang-ay, President of SASGA explained that the introduction of the lacewings larvae, an insect that feeds on mites, by the DA to their association comes from their earlier request following positive reviews of its use in strawberry production as was experienced by the association.
The lacewings, a friendly insect, belong to the family Chrysopidae. Lacewings are flying insects that feed on both small insects and nectar, pollen, and honeydew (a sugar-rich liquid secreted by insects that feed on plant sap).
The larvae of lacewings voraciously target pest predators and can reduce pest populations. These beneficial generalists may feed upon multiple prey species and can help in pest control especially on mites which are the primary pest that affects strawberries particularly in the dry season.
Lacewings larvae are known to feed on a wide variety of soft-bodied arthropods including many aphid species, caterpillars, insect eggs, spiders and mites. The use of lacewings to control arthropod pests has been reported for several crops.
“We asked the DA if they can introduce and train us in the propagation of lacewings larvae since we have seen positive results in our strawberry plants. It is currently being observed and so far, it is showing positive results and if this would continue, we will be assisting the DA in promoting the use of lacewings to our farmers.
Aside from learning how to propagate lacewings so that we would not be spraying chemicals on our strawberries.” Lang-ay said.
DA-CAR considers SASGA, a GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certified Farmers’ Cooperative Association (FCA) having 25 members to be the pioneering FCA to make use of the lacewings in their plantation, aside from them to be the propagators of the larvae after its observation period, which will be shared to other farmers.
SAGSA member Charles Masing who volunteered his strawberry tunnel plantation for the testing and observation period stated that there were positive signs after the larvae were introduced to his plantation.
“Before trying the lacewings, I was supposed to stop the production of my strawberry plantation due to the mites that have affected my strawberries. Upon applying the lacewings, I observed an improvement in the color of my plantation, new shoots were coming out, and there was a reduction of mites which is why we are still in the observation phase to have a wider understanding of its use which I foresee a good use for this,” Masing said.
In 2021, SASGA was a beneficiary of the Spring Development Irrigation Project of the DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) used not only for strawberry production but for other agricultural products planted in their area.
