MINISTRY TO RELEASE EXOTIC INSECTS
TO FIGHT BLACKFLY
By Earl Manmohan
Express
February 8, 2000
Page 1
Two exotic insects are to be released in June by the Agriculture
Ministry in its fight to beat the current citrus blackfly infestation, which
has hit the industry.
The
insects, which are natural enemies of the blackfly, are being introduced in
collaboration with CABI Bio-sciences.
An
islandwide survey will begin shortly to determine the spread and distribution
of the pest. Data from the survey will
help determine the sites where initial field releases of the natural enemies
will be made.
A
Ministry official said biological control processes were slow and results were
not immediate but usually apparent within a few months. It has advised home gardeners and owners of
citrus estates to maintain the health of their orange, grapefruit and other
citrus trees and limit the use of pesticides.
It
also advised them to remove the black fungal growth on the upper leaf surfaces
(sooty mould).
Agriculture
Minister Trevor Sudama recently disclosed in Parliament that Cabinet had
approved the transfer of $314,500 in the first instance, to control the citrus
black fly. Part of the money will also
go into a public awareness programme.
He
said the citrus industry was a significant contributor to the agricultural
sector with some 1,125 farmers cultivating 2,800 hectares and employing between
1,500 to 2,000 people.
He
said the industry had experienced positive growth over the past ten years, with
production increasing from 2,814 tons in 1990 to 12,361 tons in 1999. Last year, the industry contributed some
$15.7 million to agricultural GDP in real terms.
"It
is, therefore, of critical concern to the agriculture sector and to this
Government, that the threat posed by this pest be minimized or nullified in the
shortest possible time," Sudama said.
The
citrus blackfly is a major pest of citrus and also of several tree crops
including avocado, banana, cashew, coffee, mango, papaya and guava.
The
pest had been reported in the Caribbean as early as 1913 when it was first
found in Jamaica. It subsequently
spread throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean and was
first observed in Trinidad in 1997 with official confirmation by the
International Institute of Entomology in February 1998. To date, it has not been confirmed that the
fly is in Tobago.
This
pest can cause serious loses to citrus, with an estimated reduction in yield of
up to 80 percent. Large colonies of
immature stages of the insect are found on the underside of leaves and even on
fruits, resulting in entire orchards appearing black in colour.