Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 4 • Integrated Insect and Rodent Pests Management
learning objectives
• To create awareness and understanding among farmers that hand picking can be a practical
control strategy against relatively low to moderate cutworm infestation; and
• To learn and do actual hand picking of cutworms when relatively low to moderate infestation
are observed in learning field.
materials
• Office supplies (e.g., notebooks, ball pens, marking pens, crayons, Manila papers); and
• Organically-grown vegetable crops grown in learning and adjoining fields showing relatively
low to moderate cutworm infestation.
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
1. Divide participants in small groups and ask them to conduct field walks and observe organicallygrown
vegetable crops showing low to moderate cutworm infestation in learning and adjoining
fields. Take note of feeding characteristics of pests. Interview other farmers, if necessary.
List down all observations related to pest occurrence, crops or weeds infested, degree and
characteristic damage, etc.
2. Facilitate each farmer to do actual hand picking of cutworms when relatively low to moderate
infestation are observed on organically-grown vegetables in learning field, as follows:
5 Look for localized areas where cutworms are concentrated;
5 Take note of characteristic damage, plant part damaged, relative density, larval instar, size
of pest, etc.;
5 If possible, estimate degree of pest infestation per plot;
5 Perform direct hand picking of cutworms at relatively low infestation levels;
5 Use trap materials to complement handpicking of cutworms at moderate infestation levels;
and
5 Take note of all relevant observations and experiences during the activity.
3. Go back to processing area; brainstorm in small groups and present output to big group.
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