Author(s): P.K.SARKAR

Abstract: The invasion of alien species is recognized as a primary cause of global biodiversity loss. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 visualized \'biological invasion of alien species as the second worst threat after habitat destruction\' 1. Biodiversity loss caused by invasive species may soon surpass the damage done by habitat destruction and fragmentation. Biological invasion may be considered as a form of biological pollution and a significant component of the human-induced global environmental change. The trade-based global economy stimulates the cultivation of economically important species. It also stimulates the accidental spread of the same species or other species. International law regulating the unintentional introduction of harmful alien species through trade is weak. The eriophyid mites, Aceria guerreronis Keifer has become a serious pest of coconut in many coconut growing countries in the world. It was first described in 1965 from specimens collected from Guerrero state of Mexico (Keifer, 1965). In India the pest was first reported in the later part of 1998 from Ernakulm district of Kerala state, within a period of two years it has spread to most part of Kerala state and neighboring district of Tamil Nadu (1999) and Karnataka (1998). The estimated average loss of copra yield was found to be 10-15 per cent in Tamil Nadu (Ramaraju et al. 2000) as compared to 10 per cent in Benin and 16 per cent in Ivory coast (Mariau, 19797) and 20-30 per cent in India (Gopal and Gupta, 2001).

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