Overview Of Research On Invasive Species In The Caribbean

Invasive species are a serious constraint to agriculture in the Caribbean and global movement of people and goods has increased the incidence of exotic invasives. This problem was recognised by the Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS) in 2003, when the society organised a special one-day seminar entitled "Challenges and Opportunities in Protecting the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States from Invasive Species". Since 2003, invasive species have remained at the forefront of CFCS meetings with special invasive species seminars or sessions being scheduled at all but one of the 10 annual meetings from 2003 to 2012. The proceedings for the CFCS meetings for the years 2003-2011 were examined for papers reporting research on invasive species; the programme of abstracts for 2012 was also examined. The total number of presentations at CFCS annual meetings from 2003 to 2012 is 1,111; of these, 231 (20.8%) are on invasive species research. For the period 2003 to 2007 this study lists all the invasive species on which research was reported at CFCS meetings. For the period 2008 to 2012; besides listing the invasives on which research was reported, the countries of study are identified. Also in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 there were several presentations listing invasives of concern or importance. These lists are reproduced here. During the 2003 to 2007 period the three invasives which appear to have captured the most research efforts were Bacterial Wilt, Chilli Thrips and Pink Hibiscus Mealybug. From 2008 to 2012 research efforts on invasive species appear to have stepped up to an even higher level with the following seven receiving the most attention: Black Sigatoka, Chilli Thrips, Citrus Greening, Coffee Berry Borer, Fruit flies, Fusarium Wilt and Red Palm Mite.