that is presently destroying crops in the Caribbean.

The pink mealybug has ravaged vegetables, plants and trees throughout Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago and is now threatening other Caribbean islands -- including Bermuda.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' Senior Plant Protection Officer Dr. Jeffrey Jones said: "This pest is of extreme quarantine importance.'' The insect has caused severe losses of vegetation and importers and travellers are asked to not bring in any plant material from these areas so that the Island can remain clear of the pest.