Federal agencies unite to fight invasive species

Red palm mites. Fruit flies. Citrus root weevils (Diaprepes). All are subjects of articles in this issue of Agricultural Research.

They also have another thing in common: They're destructive invasive pests, with origins far beyond our shores and borders, which have found one way or another to get into the United States and upset our agriculture.

The news in these stories ranges from harrowing to triumphant. There's the story on page 4 about the red palm mite. Its rapid, wind-assisted spread throughout the Caribbean is threatening ornamental and coconut-producing palm trees and perhaps presents an even wider danger to agriculture. On the other hand, the article on page 8 reports on how integrated pest management has led to dramatic reductions in pesticide use aimed at overcoming exotic fruit flies such as the dreaded medfly.