AS REGIONAL AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS continue to grapple with the devastating effect of the red palm mite (Raoiella indica) on their coconut crop, local entomologist Ian Gibbs is again urging Barbadians to be extremely vigilant in keeping the pest from our shores.

"If you are travelling to any of the affected countries, including Dominica, St Lucia and Trinidad, please do not bring back, or try to smuggle in any kind of palm products, any kind of orchid products, or any of those plant parts, because you could inadvertently bring the red palm mite with you and cause a major headache here in Barbados," he said.

Dubbing the pest, which is said to be wreaking havoc across the Caribbean, a threat to our business as well as the horticultural industry, the entomologist stressed that it posed a serious threat to palms, bananas, heliconias, orchids and of course coconuts.

"I know that a lot of us like coconut water, so imagine having to do without coconut water for many years to come," he said.

In terms of preventative measures, the Ministry of Agriculture spokesman said plant quarantine officials here were on a heightened alert for the pest, and restrictions were in place on all palm products including woven mats, bags and hats coming into the island.

He also indicated that the ministry had also embarked on an islandwide survey to check on the mite's presence here.

". . . A good section of the South Coast and the West Coast have already been surveyed, and we are now beginning to work further inland," he explained, noting that, so far, it had not been found.

The key to any new invasive species coming in is that you have to act on it very quickly. Do not give it a chance to become established . . . .," he said.

In terms of its appearance, Gibbs noted that the mite, as its name implied, was "brilliantly red" in colour, and could easily be seen against most backgrounds. He underlined, however, that it was very small, and therefore one had to look very carefully.

According to scientists, the red palm mite can be distinguished from spider mites by their red colour, flattened bodies and long hairs. All life stages of the pest, including its eggs, are red. The adult female is said to have black patches across its back in some instances.

"If anyone notices those types of mites on coconuts, any kind of palms, bananas, heliconias, gingers, even orchids, please get into contact with us," he said.