HungryPests Blog

Central American pineapple is one of the biggest and freshest imports we receive at the Port of Long Beach. Some people find this tasty fruit most appetizing on pizza, while others enjoy it best in salsa. For a variety of invasive species, however, these pineapples are interesting as a means of transit.  The invasive species found during inspection of these shipments include snails, insects and weed seeds.  Many of the insects don’t feed on the pineapples but instead are “hitchhikers” – pests that, in effect, “hitch a ride” on the produce.  While pineapple may not be a mainland crop in the U.S., many of the “hitchhikers” found in the crop shipments are generalists who can feed on a wide variety of host plants.  Read more... (362 words, 4 images, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)