Bermuda's lush vegetation could be ruined if an insect devastating the Caribbean reaches the Island, experts warned this week.

Now travellers are being urged not to bring any plants or vegetables back from the Caribbean and risk exposing Bermuda to the insect.

Many Caribbean islands are currently suffering huge damage caused by a tiny insect, the Pink mealybug.

If it reaches Bermuda agriculture experts say it will wreak havoc and leave Bermuda "unrecognisable''.

Dr. Jeffrey Jones, of Department of Agriculture, said: "Bermuda has invested heavily in foliage and beautification and there would be huge devastation throughout the country if the insect got here.'' The Pink mealybug was detected in the Caribbean in the early 1990s and has spread from Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago to St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St.

Maarten, Nevis and Guatemala. It has also been detected in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

It is feared that unless travellers obey calls not to bring plants onto the Island it could spread to Bermuda.

In Grenada alone the cost of damage caused by the insect has been estimated at $4.4 million -- which does not include the loss of earnings due to trade embargoes.

In Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, the insect has spread rapidly damaging ornamental, horticultural and agricultural plants as well as natural forest trees and has disrupted trade of fresh agricultural produce.

The insect is know to attack more than 200 species of plants -- including popular plants such as the hibiscus, oleander, bay grape, citrus and maize.

When it affects a plant a white wax-like substance builds up. It feeds by injecting a plant with toxic saliva that results in malformed leaves, shoot growth and possible death.

The insect is resistant to many pesticides and treatment includes removing and burning the infected plant or new biological methods of control.

Environment Minister Pam Gordon said: "This is a major concern. We have watched this bug and seen the devastation it has caused.

"We are so concerned we have come forward to warn the general public to be aware of this insect. We want everyone to know not to bring plants or vegetables from affected Caribbean countries into Bermuda.

"We will not recognise the Island if this bug get here,'' warned the Minister.

She said the public should follow three steps: Do not bring in agricultural produce from infested countries, obtain an import permit from the Agriculture Department for non-infected Caribbean countries and report possible sightings of the insect to the department immediately.

"All of us in Bermuda take great pride in the lush vegetation that beautifies our country as well as the range of agricultural crops cultivated by our farming community,'' added Ms Gordon.

"It is the responsibility of everyone, especially travellers and importers of agricultural commodities, to ensure that the pest is not brought here.'' VEGETABLES VEG HEALTH HTH ENVIRONMENT ENV