Plant pests
BIOLOGICAL factors such as pathogens (fungi, viruses, bacteria, nematodes, viroids, phytoplasma and others), pests and weeds represent a significant threat to our food system, impacting crop growth and quality.
Understanding these threats and how we can prevent exotic pathogens/ pests entry into Fiji is key to ensuring a robust and secure food supply.
Fiji is very fortunate to be free of some of the most devastating threats to plant/animal health and production and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) officers and scientific teams work day in and out to ensure harmful plant and animal pests and diseases do not make their way into the country!
In the next two weeks we take a look at some serious plant problems (pests and diseases) around the world, but so far successfully kept out of Fiji.
1. WANTED: citrus greening bacterium (Candidatus liberibacter spp.). Its common symptoms, such as greening and stunting, can be often mistaken for nutrient defects.
In China it is called “Yellow dragon disease” or Huang Long Bing (HLB) for the strength of its impact on citrus trees and fruits.
In the past decade in the USA, HLB caused an approximately 21 per cent decrease in the fresh citrus fruit market and about a 72 per cent decline in the production of oranges used for juice and other products.
In China, where the disease originated, top-producing Jiangxi Province has lost 25 per cent of its groves as of the end of 2018.
In Brazil, the disease has eliminated 52.6 million sweet orange trees, a 31 per cent reduction in area, since 2004, when HLB was first detected there.
2. WANTED: Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) – is one of two species of snout beetle.
At its larval stage, this burrowing (digging) pest causes the greatest mortality of palm trees.
Larvae are tireless tunnellers, piercing the internal tissues of the palm for days and weeks. In severe infestations, their chewing can be heard by vigilant ears.
3. WANTED: Wheat Yellow Rust caused by the pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.
Also known as “strip rust of wheat”, is one of the most diffuse wheat diseases.
It is mainly distributed in areas with cool temperatures, but humidity and rainfall can also worsen its symptoms on leaves.
4. WANTED: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys). BMSB is a sucking insect (like all Hemiptera or “true bugs”) that uses its proboscis to pierce the host plant to feed.
This feeding results, in part, in the formation of dimpled or necrotic areas on the outer surface of fruits, leaf stippling, seed loss and possible transmission of plant pathogens. BMSB is an agricultural pest that can cause widespread damage to fruit and vegetable crops.
The seasonal influx of BMSB because of overwintering or hibernating in aircrafts/vessels/cargoes is expected between September to May and this is when Fiji is at the most risk of an incursion of these dreaded pest — if you suspect to have seen this pest — please immediately notify your nearest BAF office.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji on 3312512 or email info@baf.com.fj, visit BAF website www.baf.com.fj