Need for rehabilitating the mealybug-infested atis [Anona squamosa] in Lobo, Batangas [Philippines]

The buff coconut mealy bug (BCM), Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell), is a recently introduced pest in the Philippines. It has become very destructive to important agricultural crops and other plants. This invasive pest was first observed in early 2001 and after five years, it has already been recorded in more than 60 plant species belonging to 15 genera. It is the aim of this paper to present updates on the unfortunate situation brought about by this mealy bug to the 'atis' industry of Lobo, Batangas. One of the most susceptible crops that did not escape from BCM attack is the famous 'atis' or sugar apple of Lobo, Batangas. Although Annona squamosa is an introduced fruit, the Lobo 'atis' is a Batangas farmers' variety, selected through long periods of cultivation under local conditions. It is not only very special among the Batangueños but also around the country because of its delicious, sweet taste and relatively bigger size, thus easier to eat. This crop is planted along the rolling hills of Lobo situated along the coast of Batangas. This fruit actually used to be one of the major sources of income of the municipality with an estimated average annual production amounting to as much as Php 100,000 per family over the past forty years. The BCM was first observed in early 2000 on the hilltops of the upper barangays [villages] of Lobo, particularly in Banalo and San Miguel. The infestation progressed to the lower barangay. The farmers started to complain about this pest in 2003. They observed the decrease in yield and the secondary damage by the consequent sooty molds on the 'atis' trees and surrounding vegetation. The damage had been aggravated by long dry spells and the big plunge came in 2005 when there was almost no income generated. The super typhoons in 2006 put down the mealy bug population significantly. However, as early as January 2007, signs of resurging mealy bug populations have already been imminent and there have been a steady increase. So far, no effective natural enemies, whether parasitoids or predators, have been found. The steep slope of most 'atis' farms also make chemical control or other non-biological means not only costly but also impractical. The search for effective control measures however, continues to be falled by lack of financial resources for R and D [research and development] and lack of government support for addressing this pest epidemic.