Proactive measures to prevent black headed coconut worm

The black-headed caterpillar situation in the province has been effectively controlled, and the area of ​​restored coconut gardens has increased. Photo: Phuong Thao

After the plan to focus on simultaneously launching the prevention of land-based invasive species in the province was issued, the districts that have plans to launch such as Giong Trom, Ba Tri and Ben Tre City have developed plans to simultaneously launch the prevention of land-based invasive species in the area. The remaining districts such as Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, Thanh Phu, Chau Thanh and Binh Dai continue to focus on prevention work, especially propaganda work and parasitic wasp breeding; complete the selection of pilot models to organize field workshops to guide localities and farmers to implement integrated management measures in the correct order.

As a result, in 2024, the whole province raised and released 245 million parasitic wasps and parasitic wasps larvae of SDĐ; from the beginning of 2025 to now, it has been 30.2 million. The raising process has been accelerated to ensure the number of releases during the peak period of prevention during the dry months of 2025. The provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection has coordinated with other sectors to strengthen propaganda and instruct farmers to limit the use of pesticides to protect and effectively promote the source of parasitic wasps in the field after release.

In early February 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the People's Committees of districts and cities to conduct field surveys of coconut gardens infected with SDĐ to evaluate the effectiveness of control. The survey results showed that the coconut gardens had recovered very well, the density of worms in the gardens had decreased significantly, 100% of the infected areas inspected showed signs of good recovery, of which 50% of the coconut gardens had fully recovered in growth, 50% of the coconut gardens were in the recovery stage and there was no spread.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province currently has 355.71 hectares infected with salinity. The accumulated area infected with salinity from 2024 to 2025 is 881.06 hectares, the accumulated recovery area from 2024 to 2025 is 525.35 hectares. Of which, Mo Cay Nam and Thanh Phu districts have large areas of infection and rapid recovery progress. Specifically, Thanh Phu has a recovery area ratio of 70.92/75.42 hectares infected, only 4.5 hectares are lightly infected; Mo Cay Nam has the highest infected area of ​​320 hectares, down to 103.25 hectares, mainly lightly infected and recovering. The infected area in the remaining districts and Ben Tre City is recovering well and there is no spread.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Huynh Quang Duc, in the coming time, the agricultural sector will organize field seminars to guide farmers to implement appropriate management measures, to prevent large outbreaks that cause heavy damage in 2025. The Department recommends that localities continue to closely coordinate with the agricultural sector in detecting and preventing SĐĐ, the information needs to be accurate and timely. When detecting new or recurrent infected areas, it is necessary to promptly inform the Provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection for appropriate and effective prevention instructions.

Phuong Thao

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/chu-dong-cac-bien-phap-phong-tru-sau-dau-den-hai-dua-a142887.html