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Armyworms and Pigeon Pea Leaf Hopper emerging pest after Hurricane Ivan The Pest Management Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture reports two emerging pests have been noticed since the passage of Hurricane Ivan. While the infestation index and the population of the West Indian Fruit Fly declined to Zero three months after the Passage of Hurricane Ivan, two (2) pests, which prior to September 6th were occasional and did not cause economic damage, changed their status to become primary pests. In early January 2005, the Pest Management Unit was alerted to the presence of Armyworms attacking Flamboyant on the compound of the Point Salines International Airport. At present foliage growth on the affected trees is back to normal, following treatment with two cycles of Dipel. The second pest, which has inflicted economic damage since Hurricane Ivan, is the Pigeon Pea Leaf Hopper. Assistance to farmers in the managing this pest has been limited because of the sensitive nature of the Pigeon Pea Plant and the scattered nature of plantings. The Pest Management Unit has however advised some farmers to apply Karate as a foliar spray. The Pest Management Unit will conduct a survey this month to determine the intensity and distribution of the infestation and deploy field teams to implement control measure in "significant’ plantings
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