Banglamung officials are scrambling to contain a maggot infestation that is destroying coconut trees in the district.
District Chief Chakorn Kanchawattana chaired a Jan. 14 meeting on the problem, which has affected coconut crops in three sub-districts.
Boonlua Kongsoongnern, a representative from the Agriculture Department of Banglamung, said Chonburi is facing problems with the outbreak of black-headed coconut maggots.
Chonburi is facing problems with the outbreak of black-headed coconut maggots.
In Takhiantia, more than 885 of the 1,760 rai of coconut trees is infested by the maggots.
In Pong, 1,050 out of 1,856 rai are affected, and in Nong Plalai, 792 of 1,850 rai are infected.
Currently, Nongprue and Huay Yai remain unaffected, but the maggots can destroy a huge amount of coconut trees within a week, Boonlua warned.
Residents have been complaining about this issue since the beginning of the rainy season.
The Agricultural Department said that the most effective way to get rid of the maggots is to release braconidae wasps, which feed on the bugs.
The breeding process is not difficult, but takes time to raise enough wasps to control a large area.
A budget was requested to cover the costs of the wasps as well as their breeding.
