Banana Insect Pests and Management Strategies in Brgy. Katangawan, General Santos City and Brgy. Lun Padidu, Malaptan. Sarangani Province

On-site insect pest surveys and interviews with banana farmers were undertaken to determine the incidence and prevalence of insect pests as well as integrated pest management (IPM) systems used by farmers in Katangawan, General Santos City and Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Major insect pests causing considerable damage to banana plantations in Katangawan were mealy bug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi), spiraling white fly (Aleurodicus disperses), banana lace bug (Stephanitis typica), banana corm weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) and Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus). For the Lun Padidu site, major pests were mealy bug, spiraling white fly, banana lace bug and banana corm weevil which inflicted different types of damage to the banana plants. Correlation analysis done on the monthly population graphs revealed the varying effects of rainfall and air temperature on pest population and distribution. Furthermore, banana farmers in the two areas gave high ratings for integrated pest management (IPM) use because of their purported effectiveness in the field.