Discovery of 'Sonamu Heori Norinjae' in Gapyeong... Gyeonggi Province Plans 'Eco-friendly Aerial Pest Control'

June 22-24 (6 AM - 10 AM): 564ha of Pine Nut Cultivation Areas in Gapyeong and Pocheon

Pine Tree Bug Discovered in Samhoe-ri, Gapyeong-gun [Provided by Gyeonggi-do]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 21st that it will conduct its first "eco-friendly aerial pest control" this year to reduce the density of the "pine needle bug," which adversely affects the production of pine nuts, the province's representative forest product, and to minimize damage.

According to the province, the pine needle bug was first detected this year on the 14th in Samhoe-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun.

The "pine needle bug" is a pest that causes significant damage to pine nut production by sucking the sap from pine nut seeds during their formation period, thereby inhibiting seed development.

From the 22nd to the 24th (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.), aerial pest control using "organic agricultural materials" instead of pesticides will be carried out over 564 hectares of pine nut cultivation areas in Gapyeong-gun and nearby Pocheon regions (450 hectares in Gapyeong, 114 hectares in Pocheon).

Areas within 150 meters of high-voltage power lines, regions where damage to beekeeping, sericulture, and fish farms is a concern will be excluded from the aerial pest control zones.

The province plans to take preventive measures in advance to avoid helicopter accidents and complaints, and will educate residents and beekeeping associations before the aerial pest control.

Additionally, depending on the density of the pine needle bug occurrence, 2 to 3 rounds of eco-friendly aerial pest control are planned.

Meanwhile, the pine needle bug was first discovered in South Korea in 2010 in Changwon and Masan, Gyeongnam Province. In Gyeonggi Province, it was first found in Haenghyeon-ri, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun in March 2020, causing damage with a pine nut cone damage rate of 75.6%.

Lee Sung-gyu, Director of the Forestry Division, stated, "Since pine nuts are a representative forest product of Gyeonggi Province, we will focus on minimizing damage through eco-friendly and proactive pest control." He also urged, "Especially, the beekeeping association is requested to pay attention to bee management in accordance with the eco-friendly aerial pest control schedule."