Mealybugs Invade Belizean Farms, Crops at Risk

They’re small, soft-bodied, and covered in white, powdery wax. On the surface, mealybugs appear harmless, but these pesky insects are wreaking havoc on crops across Belize. They feed on plant sap, weakening the plant and potentially causing stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even plant death. What’s even more troubling is that Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, says they are just one of many pests infecting the fields of hard-working farmers in Belize.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“When it rains, it pours. We have had history of froghopper, it’s endemic in sugarcane We’ve never had fusarium affecting sugarcane. We have it now. About ten years ago, we started with Stan Bora. We have that now, and now we have mealybugs. I saw one feild that was infected with mealybugs. I took photographs of it. I sent it to the SIRDI, they said, yes, minister, we are monitoring that field. They destroyed the field. It’s just one more pest to deal with. Sound simple. But it’s added costs. Added costs at the time when the price of  sugar is depressed. So the farmers are not in the best position at this time.”