THE CARIBBEAN - 20 DECEMBER 1995
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Recent FAO staff visits to the sub-region confirm extensive damage to crops in Grenada caused by the Maconellicoccus hirsutus, also known as the Hibiscus Mealy Bug or Pink Mealy Bug (PMB). The PMB is a new pest in the Caribbean. It is a highly polyphogous insect and is considered to be the most devastating mealy bug known. It injects toxic saliva into the plant tissues during feeding, resulting in malformed leaves and shoots, stunting and death of young shoots. The PMB is re ported to attack mor e than 125 plant species, including fruits, food crops, vegetables, beverage crops, forest species and ornamental species. It spins a waxy coating, which together with its ability to crawl into cracks and crevices, protects the pest from pesticides. The efficiency of chemical control is questionable and heavy pesticide use could, in fact, be counter-productive. Control is effected through a wide range of natural enemies, including parasitoids and predators. The spread of the infestation is also reported in other island countries, notably Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts.