Coconut farmers’ knowledge of host and management approaches of rugose spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Rugose spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) has become a major pest of coconut in Bangladesh. To assess farmers’ knowledge on host and management approaches of this pest, a survey of 240 farmers was conducted in eight districts of Bangladesh. Farmers noticed an expanding dispersion of this pest in Bangladesh since 2019. Among all the districts examined, Cox’s Bazar district was highly infested. Farmers mainly cultivated local coconut varieties in their homesteads. Forty percent (40%) of the farmers among all districts estimated that the pest reduced coconut yield to more than half. Only 1% of all farmers knew about all life stages of the pest. Consultation with extension officers significantly improved farmers’ knowledge of the pest. Summer was the peak season for the whitefly infestation. Farmers identified 22 hosts of the pest and almost four out of ten (40.4%) applied management methods against the pest. Among them, 22% used chemical methods, 42% used non-chemical methods, and 24% used both methods. Farmer’s types, purposes, and knowledge influenced their management approaches.