The cotton growers should take preventive measures to get rid of mealy bug, which has emerged as a devastating insect for the crop, said an agricultural expert on Wednesday. Muhammad Ishaq Lashari, the agri expert said that mealy bug was more harmful than all other insects and ever-since its emergence two or three years back the cotton production suffered a great deal.
He said cotton cultivation would begin next week, saying that growers must be alert and take the suggested preventive measures. "Water courses and other vacant fields should be purged of weeds, which are the breeding spots for mealy bug." Ishaq Lashari said that flowers and ornamental plants also act as host plants for mealy bug and facilitate their procreation. Therefore, friendly insects or predators may be reared to prevent the onslaught of mealy bug on cotton crop.