A spot inspection by experts of paddy fields in South West Khasi Hills’ Umsohlang village confirmed that the pests devouring the paddy plantation there are the rice blue beetles.
The inspection was carried out by the Scientific Officer from the State Bio-Control Laboratory Sanmer, Shillong, Kitdorlang Kharpran, District Agriculture Officer, South West Khasi Hills District, S Kharsati along with members of the Hill Farmers Union, Mawkyrwat Block.
Informing that the blue bugs are surface feeders, Kharpran said that they have taken samples of the leaves eaten by the bug for further tests in Shillong.
The experts, however, stated that the beetles do not cause mass destruction of plants because they are concentrated only in some portions.
They have also educated the farmers on how to protect their plants from the bugs by application of neem, which is environment friendly.
Meanwhile, the president of the HFU Mawkyrwat Block, Ferdinand Lyngkhoi, expressed gratitude towards the officers for the inspection and assurance to provide the farmers of the area the organic pesticide to control the menace caused by the blue beetles.
