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.
|
||
HungryPests BlogJune 18th, 2009 |
 Author: Kristen Kaser & Liana Morishita, USDA-APHIS | Tags: Central American Pineapple, hitchhikers, host plants, insects, snails, weed seeds | Category: Hitchhiking pests | One comment When an invasive pest, such as an insect or plant disease is confirmed in California by an agriculture inspector, an agriculture quarantine may be set up to prevent the pest from moving into other areas of the State. This is a key step in controlling and eliminating the threatening pest. California is rich with greenery and vegetation that many of us enjoy. Unfortunately, invasive pests also enjoy these resources and can spread quickly across the State unnoticed. April 20th, 2009 |
Author: Helene Wright, California State Plant Health Director, USDA-APHIS | Tags: California, hitchhiking, host plants, Invasive Pests | Category: Agriculture Quarantine | One comment |
||