A new system of baggage examination is about to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) to prevent the spread of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug (PHM) to the Sister Islands.

Brian Crichlow, the DoA's Marketing Coordinator and Media Relations Officer, said that feedback from Sister Islands residents at the recent public meetings and to department staff on the Islands has resulted in the adoption of a new system of pre-screening all baggage.

Currently, all flights are met by Senior Agriculture Officer Telford Miller and other staff, and all incoming baggage is carefully examined, said Mr Crichlow. Goods shipped on the barge come in their original packaging, containerised, straight from the wholesalers in Grand Cayman, where they are delivered directly upon arriving from overseas.

"However, we became aware during our recent visits to the Sister Islands that many residents do their own shopping (from Grand Cayman), and that we needed to find a way to ensure these goods were inspected for safety," he said.

Earlier this month, Mr Crichlow spoke to Brackers at a public meeting about the dangers of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug. He explained what the mealybug is and what it does to plants, what to do and what not to do if the mealybug infests your plants, and what precautions have been taken to keep the Brac free of this pest. The presentation was also given in Little Cayman on 2 August.

Other panelists were Senior Agricultural Officer Telford Miller, Chief Agriculture and Veterinary Officer Dr Alfred Benjamin, the Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, Minister of District Administration, Planning, Agriculture & Housing, and from the Brac, Clerical Officer Sherrydale Whittaker, farm labourer Cilen Dilbert, and Melford McFarlane, Animal Health Assistant.

Pink Hibiscus Mealybug (PHM) is a serious plant pest that attacks ornamentals, vegetables, root crops, and fruit and shade trees. This tiny, soft-bodied sap-sucking insect forms colonies or clusters which appear as white, powdery, fluffy or cotton-like masses on the leaves and stems of affected plants.

The bug can also be identified by the presence of crinkled or twisted leaves and shoots, unopened flowers which often shrivel and die, black sooty mold, and ants.

"PHM attacks over 250 species of plants. It feeds on the plant sap and releases toxic substances into the plant, causing injury and eventual death. The immature mealybugs, or crawlers, can move short distances from one plant to another. It can also be spread by the wind, movement of infested plants or plant cuttings or by 'hitch-hiking' on clothes, animals or garden tools," Mr Crichlow said.

The Department of Agriculture warns people not to cut infested plants, as this can cause the bug to spread from one plant to another. Sister Islanders may not bring plants, plant cuttings, fruits or vegetables grown or purchased in Grand Cayman to the Sister Islands.

It is important not to use pesticides on plants that you believe may be infested.

The DoA is using biological control, which involves introducing two natural enemies of the PHM: a small, non-stinging wasp that parasitizes and kills the PHM, and a ladybird beetle that feeds on all types of mealybugs and other soft-bodied insect pests. The biocontrol approach has proved extremely effective in other Caribbean Islands and in the United States. The biocontrol agents will not harm humans, animals, plants or other insects that are beneficial to the Islands. Pesticides will kill the introduced insects and thus undermine control efforts.

Please contact the Department of Agriculture at 1-800-534-BUGS (2847) if you believe your plants have been infested by PHM.