Citrus root weevil
This week, Farmers Weekly presents the second in a four part series ahead of International Biodiversity Day (May 22) dubbed: 'Biodiversity: Food, Water and Health for all.'
BIODIVERSITY OR biological diversity is the variety of organisms and their habitats in an environment.
Many of Jamaica's economic crops are not native. Most of them were introduced during colonial times by plantation owners seeking to expand their crop base. These plants have adapted well and have become so widespread that they are no longer considered "strangers". They have become an integral part of our culture and provide primary sources of income for many farmers.
Economic crops and livestock along with pests, pathogens, predators and helpful organisms comprise agricultural biodiversity. Economic crops derived from wild relatives and their natural and man-made varieties provide human food. They are supported by pollinators, soil organisms and predators of plant pests that help to enhance crop production.
The pollinators which include bats, birds and insects, feed on flowers and fruits and in the process, help plants to reproduce. Common pollinators include the humming bird, banana quit and orange quit as well as bees, butterflies and moths. Bats are lesser known pollinators one of which is the Jamaican fruit eating bat, Artibeus jamaicensis that feeds on fruits, pollen and even nectar.
FARMER'S FOES
Farmers' foes include pests, pathogens and predators that lower production by causing diseases or damage to crops. Some important pests are insects such as Citrus Root Weevils (Exopthalmus spp., Pachneus spp. ) and the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) that feeds on green coffee berries. Black rats (Rattus rattus) and mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) are other foes of farmers. Black rats feed on and damaged sugarcane crops and interestingly, the mongoose that was originally brought to Jamaica around 1872 to control rats in the cane fields, has established its status as a predator of some birds and other animal species. Weeds such as Bahama grass (Cynodon dactylon), 'Bracken' or Net-fern (Gleichenia spp.) and Hogmeat or Wild Potato (Ipomoea tilacea and related species) are also considered farmers' foes.
For further information, on biodiversity, contact the Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica, 10-16 East Street Kingston, Tel: 922-0620-6. E-mail: nhd@instituteofjamaica.org.jm or nhd.ioj@cwjamaica.com.
The Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica manages the national museum collections of plants and animals, disseminates information on biodiversity and manages the Mason River Protected Area.
