Agriculture is the primary source of income for poor rural people, and the only

source for many of the poorest households. Most of them depend on subsistence farming and
fishing for their livelihoods. Illiteracy, unemployment and the incidence of poverty are generally
higher among indigenous peoples and those living in upland and coastal areas (Umit Mansiz,
2022). According to Lulú Giménez and Fernándo Bagyán (2022) today, some 80% of the
Cordillera's population, both indigenous and migrant, engage in agricultural production as their
main source of livelihood. The vegetables production of the Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR) decreased by -4.17% from 366,314.56 MT in 2020 to 351,030.97 MT in 2021. For the
pechay section, the country’s Chinese pechay production slightly decreased by 0.95 percent in
2017. This was mainly due to the decrease in production from the country’s top producer, the
Cordillera region according to Philippine Statistics Authority (2019).

Insect-pests cause great hazard to the world’s vegetation and significant reduction of
crop’s output. Many multiply hundredfold in a short period feeding on leaves, stem and fruits to
complete their development stages. Common cutworm (S. litura) popularly known as tobacco
caterpillar enjoys wide distribution. It was spotted somewhere in Northern Luzon but also
reported in other Asian nations, Australia and Pacific Islands where host plants were cultivated.

According to Javier- hila et.al (2018), in pechay production, cutworms (spodoptera

litura) are the most destructive pest. Cutworm caterpillars are plump and smooth, growing to
about 40mm long, but they usually cannot be seen as they hide under the soil or litter by day.
Often they can be located by scratching the surface near damaged plants where they can be seen
curled up in a defensive position. They are most damaging in autumn when large caterpillars
(>20mm) transfer from summer and autumn weeds onto newly emerged crop seedlings. They
primarily feed on the leaves, stalks, and stems and even cut off the plants that destroy the entire
plant in no time at all. The larva feeds on leaves and sometimes cuts off the stems. In severe
infestation, it can ultimately damage the plant, resulting in stunted growth and reduced yield,
according to Gonzales et al. (2011).

People have used various instruments to control the cutworm problem. According to
E.T. Natwick , S.V. Joseph, S.K. Dara, W.J. Bentley , Parlier W.E. Chaney , N.C. Toscano
(2020), Cutworms are biologically controlled by a variety of natural enemies, such as parasitic
tachinid flies, predatory beetles, and parasitic wasps. However, natural enemy numbers are
usually not high enough to control both cutworms and the other caterpillar pests that occur in the
crop simultaneously. Biological control from these natural enemies is typically not sufficient to
prevent economic damage.

The most popular is the commonly used insecticide sprays. Most of these can destroy
the cutworm caterpillar but they can also do serious damage to humans as well. Pesticides are
chemical effective tools that can help maintain the rapid growth of plants and preventing them
from destruction of insects. Pesticides may be defined as any compound or mixture of
components intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. (Walia S., Saha
S., Rana V., 2014, pp. 295–322)

In addition to the side effects of these materials, the costs of these insecticides are high. All these
set aside, the question on everyone’s mind is “what can be the effective and natural insecticide?”

Siling mahaba (translation: "long chili") is usually a bright green but gets redder with
age.  Despite its name, it grows to be only about a finger long although it is longer than the other
commonly found hot chili pepper in the Philippines, siling labuyo.  Likely a cultivar
of Capsicum annuum longum, siling mahaba packs about the same heat as a jalapeño (Nagpala,
Ellaine Grace L., 2007).

Pesticides are chemical effective tools that can help maintain the rapid growth of
plants and preventing them from destruction of insects. Pesticides may be defined as any
compound or mixture of components intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating
any pest. (Walia S., Saha S., Rana V., 2014, pp. 295–322)

Gervais, J. A.; Luukinen, B.; Buhl, K.; Stone, D. (2008), capsaicin is the main
chemical that makes chili peppers hot. Capsaicin is an animal repellent that is also used against
insects and mites. Capsaicin was first registered for use in the United States in 1962. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) considers it to be a biochemical pesticide because
it is a naturally occurring substance.

Capsaicin is a hydrophobic substance, which acts on epithelial cells of animals. It is

not poisonous and naturally occurs in the environment as a defence mechanism. Thus, the study
is conducted to use capsaicin as an ingredient to produce a safe to use, cheap, and environmental
friendly pesticide. (Jared Ed M. Lacar, 2019)

Reference
Umit masiz. Investing in Rural people: Philippines. 2020
https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/philippines?fbclid=IwAR34yz7hVTCEGVl-
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Lulú Giménez and Fernándo Bagyán 2022. The impact of the liberalization of agricultural trade
on the peasantry of the Northern Luzon Cordillera,
https://www.cpaphils.org/campaigns/cordi_agri-sit_4731.htm#top
GONZALES PG, CEBALLO F, JAVIER P. 2011. Potential of predatory stink bug Eocanthecona
furcellata Wolf on black armyworm Spodoptera exempta Walker and cutworm Spodoptera litura
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Ethanolic Extracts against Common Cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera:
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Nagpala, Ellaine Grace L. (October 2007). A fresh look at  siling labuyo. BAR Chronicle. Bureau
of Agricultural Research, Philippines. 
E.T. Natwick , S.V. Joseph, S.K. Dara, W.J. Bentley , Parlier

W.E. Chaney , N.C. Toscano, 2020,

https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/cole-crops/Cutworms/

Jared Ed M. Lacar. 2019. Chili Peppers (Capsaicin) as an Alternative Pesticide.

https://ojs.aaresearchindex.com/index.php/AAJMRA/article/view/11946

Philippine Statistics Authority (2019) 2017 CAR Crops Production Situationer: Broccoli,
Cabbage, Carrots, Habitchuelas, Chinese Pechay and White Potato
http://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/crops/2017%20CAR%20Crops%20Production%20Situationer%3A
%20Broccoli%2C%20Cabbage%2C%20Carrots%2C%20Habitchuelas%2C%20Chinese
%20Pechay%20and%20White%20Potato?
fbclid=IwAR12mQAkZNdHjJU9Sk3GYRbDC8DgnVYrOGI5fV86SgMQforM31LcTAt_w8w
Walia S., Saha S., Rana V. Phytochemical Pesticides. In: Singh D., editor. Advances in Plant
Biopesticides. Springer; New Delhi, India: 2014. pp. 295–322. 

Gervais, J. A. ; Luukinen, B.; Buhl, K.; Stone, D. 2008. Capsaicin General Fact Sheet; National
Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services.
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/capgen.html.