Pakistani PhD Students Introduce Mealybug Identification to Farmers in Sumber Sari

Kepahiang, May 31, 2025 — As part of their academic contribution and community engagement, PhD students in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Bengkulu (UNIB), originally from Pakistan, carried out an outreach program titled “Introduction to Mealybugs” in Sumber Sari Village, Kabawetan District, Kepahiang Regency, Bengkulu Province, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The program aimed to introduce local farmers to mealybugs, a group of sap-sucking pests that seriously threaten various crops, including coffee, chili, citrus, and ornamentals. The session focused on basic identification techniques, signs of infestation, and the ecological importance of early detection.

Key points covered in the training included:

• Morphological characteristics of mealybugs include their soft, oval-shaped bodies and powdery white appearance.
• Preferred host plants and environmental conditions that support their rapid spread.

While the session was introductory, the visiting students also briefly explained that mealybugs can be managed through cultural and biological control, emphasizing the importance of natural predators such as ladybird beetles and parasitoid wasps, and maintaining garden hygiene.

This event reflects UNIB’s support for international academic collaboration and community-based learning and showcases the role of student-led initiatives in improving agricultural awareness at the grassroots level.