The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is working assiduously to establish the scale of the infestation of Red Palm Mites on the coconut farms in the Pomeroon area and reduce the spread of the pest.
This is according to Director of NAREI Dr Oudho Homenauth who confirmed to Stabroek News yesterday that the pest is currently affecting plants in Pomeroon area of Region Two Pomeroon/Supenaam.
The Red Palm Mite, Raoiella indica, a pest of several palm species uses it stylet-like mouthparts (chelicerae) to pierce the plant tissue and extract cell contents. This action damages the guard cells of the leaves leading to uncontrollable water loss from the
