Details of this species in Anguilla Status: Alien
Invasiveness: Invasive
Occurrence: Established
Source: Varnham, 2006 Arrival Date: 1996? - 1997
Introduction: Unintentional (accidentally) Species Notes for this Location:
Possibly introduced in 1996 through the transport of infested ornamental plants, Maconellicoccus hirsutus was first reported in Anguilla in February 1997 (Kairo et al., 2000) and has become a general pest on a number of agricultural and tree species in the area (Varnham, 2006). Management Notes for this Location:
According to the Anguilla invasive species strategy, Maconellicoccus hirsutus is an invasive species that has been recommended for eradication on Anguilla pending committee determination (Connor, 2008). The strategy has aims that include; the education of the public, the identification and evaluation the effects of exsting invasive species for prioritisation of action, the development of control and eradication plans and the implementation of continued surveillance (Connor, 2008). In 1999, 2850 individuals of the parisitoid, Anagyrus kamali (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were released on Anguilla as part of a regional biological control program in the Caribbean (Kairo et al., 2000). Although A. kamali has been successful in reducing M. hirsutus abundance in other areas, it is unknown whether establishment on Anguilla was successful or whether biological control efforts are still underway at present (Kairo et al., 2000; Varnham, 2006). Kairo et al. (2000) state that within a short time, pest populations in the Caribbean were brought under control and results were replicated in each country which became infested, but further details regarding Anguilla are not given. Impacts:
Economic/Livelihoods: Maconellicoccus hirsutus has been recorded as a general pest on various agricultural and tree species (Varnham, 2006). No further details found. Last Modified: 1/10/2010 1:19:13 p.m.
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