Mealy bug predator to be introduced today

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Predators that will destroy the Mealy bug 'Aserophagues Papayae' will be brought to the country today (15) from California to be released in the areas where the insect destroyed papaw and 28 other species of plants, a group of agricultural researchers said at a press conference held at the Ministry of Information in Colombo yesterday (13).

The first stock of these Aserophagues Papayae insects will be released in Polonnaruwa District where a large number of papaw cultivations were destroyed. Also the universities and research institutions will breed this Aserophagues Papayae and release them in other affected areas, Dr. Jinadari Zoysa said.

The Mealy bug problem rose to an epidemic proportion during August last year could be eradicated by using the predator Aserophagues Papayae that has been successfully used in three other countries that had achieved 90 percent success, Deputy Director Research Rubber Research Institute, Dr. Chandra K. Jayasinghe noted.