Millions of slugs, including the harmful Cuban Slug, have invaded the Northern Marianas Island of Rota in epidemic proportions.
Local horticulturist, Mark Bonin, told the PACNEWS agency the population outbreak is a cause of alarm because it's destroying crops and trees.
Mr Bonin says there is a need for immediate assistance from the government.
He says the Cuban slug has not yet been found on neighbouring Saipan and Tinian so CNMI needs to strengthen its quarantine efforts and increase public awareness.
The slug is believed to have come from Guam or Hawaii.
