Plant Protection Unit Zeroes in on Palm Pest

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Environment Articles

Saturday, 04 February 2012 02:30

By Colin Sampson

Antigua St John's - The Plant Protection Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture has made advances in isolating and identifying the cause of a mysterious affliction that is attacking and killing palm trees in the northwest portion of Antigua.

This is the report from Plant Protection Officer Dr. Janil Gore Francis, speaking on Thursday on the Colin Sampson Show.

The Plant Protection Officer says that her division is currently pursuing the hypothesis that the browning and withering of coconut and decorative palm trees in the area stretching from Dickenson Bay to Flagstaff may be caused by an insect.

While this is not the only possibility being investigated, the Plant Protection Unit has extracted the larvae of an as-yet-unidentified insect from infected palm trees in the affected area. Steps are being taken to incubate the larvae to the adult stage, thus allowing for positive identification of the creature.

This will permit the Plant Protection Unit to reach a positive diagnosis of the infestation and take steps to treat the palms. This campaign will hopefully arrest the spread of the browning, withering plant disease, if not completely eradicate it.

Dr. Janil Gore Francis notes that while palm trees on the island are subject to adverse effects of such common parasites as aphids and whitefly, these “ordinary” pests are nowhere near as virulent as the still unidentified creature.

Aphids and whitefly do cause yellowing and browning of palm fronds. However, these effects are normally observed on mature palm branches. Even when affected by these insects palms will continue to thrive, grow and bear fruit.

Farmers and homeowners should treat their plants against parasitical insect infestation, but should not worry unduly unless the yellowing, browning and withering is observed on fresh, emerging fronds. This phenomenon signals the presence of the deadly, still unknown insect. If left untreated the disease will lead to the eventual death of the affected plants.


The Plant Protection Officer is calling on farmers, homeowners and interested persons across the island to report any observations of excessive yellowing, browning and withering of palm trees in their vicinity. This will greatly assist the Plant Protection Unit in mapping and assessing the extent and intensity of the infestation.

It must be noted that palm leaves do of course yellow and wither normally as they age, eventually falling from their parent tree. This should not be mistaken for parasitical action. Observers should look for yellowing, browning and withering of very young, emergent fronds.

Reports of any observations should be made to the Ministry of Agriculture at 462 1007/8/9, 462 0027, 462 1069 or 462 2825.

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