The public are being urged to declare all imported plant material after the melon fruit fly has found its way onto the Island.

And Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said on Friday her Ministry was concerned the Island could be exposed to a second potentially devastating plant pest when direct flights to Bermuda from Florida begin in May.

Ms Butterfield told the House of Assembly on Friday that the melon fruit fly had been discovered at the airport on an imported fruit at the end of January.

The melon fruit fly is one of the most significant pests that vegetable growers world-wide have to contend with. It is established in Hawaii but is not present in the continental United States and can devastate melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, guavas, eggplant and paw-paw.

It has a large black spot on its wing-tip and a black cross-streak on its wing.

Ms Butterfield said US Department of Agriculture officials are in Bermuda to assess the magnitude of the risk to US agriculture.

?Traps have been set and baited, and will be monitored to determine the presence and distribution of melon fly in Bermuda,? she said, adding: ?US agricultural officials will do whatever it takes to keep (the continental US melon fruit fly free) ? hence, their three-week visit to Bermuda.?

Ms Butterfield said the public had to recognise the importance of properly declaring all imported plant material ? including fruit, vegetables, and plant parts.

?The results could be devastating if we do not remain vigilant,? she said.

?The find served to highlight our vulnerability particularly if returning residents and visitors do not make the proper declarations.?

Since 1989, Bermuda has been declared ?fruit fly free? by the US Department of Agriculture and this status has allowed passengers to carry fresh fruits and vegetables from Bermuda into the US, said Ms Butterfield.

?The public is advised that no live plants, plant bulbs or plant parts can be imported into Bermuda without an import permit issued by the Department.?

The permit stipulates that the exporting country must inspect the plants and certify that all the conditions of entry have been met prior to shipping to Bermuda, she said.

Ms Butterfield also expressed her concern about another potentially devastating pest.

?I think Honourable Members will be well aware of our concerns regarding the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug ? particularly now that the pest has found its way into Florida.?

Much has been written and said of late to educate the public and raise awareness about a pest that has left millions of dollars of damage in its wake throughout the Caribbean, she said.

The threat of the Mealybug will only intensify once direct flights from Florida commence on May 5, she said.

?Believe me this is an extreme pest to more than 300 species of plants.?

Ms Butterfield revealed to the House: ?To carry out their duties properly and to protect Bermuda?s farming industry and the very landscape that makes Bermuda so special, the Plant Protection Officers must have a presence at the Airport to inspect, intercept, and keep the island free from this ravenous pest.

?The Department is deep in discussions with Her Majesty?s Customs and the Ministry of Finance to make this happen before the May flights begin.?

Ms Butterfield revealed that six percent or 47,000 of the 760,000 imported items inspected last year had to be condiscated and destroyed, largely due to scab infections found on incoming poinsettias.