Discovery of Invasive Species

10/07/2025 - This is to inform the general public that the Bureau of Biosecurity of the Division of Customs Biosecurity had intercepted Polyrhachis dives (invasive ant species) while conducting routine vessel inspections aboard the MV Galaide at the Port of Saipan on October 2nd, 2025. The biosecurity inspection, identification, containment, specimen collection, and eventual eradication or suppression began at around 6:30 a.m. and lasted until around 3:30 p.m., that same afternoon.

Customs Biosecurity officers assigned to the Invasive Species Eradication Team (ISET) of the Bureau of Biosecurity observe strict biosecurity inspection and containment protocols in order to ensure that these biosecurity threats do not pose a risk to the ecological or environmental system of the Commonwealth.

The specific ant species discovered can overwhelm other native ant species and prey on sugar-based foods to include crops such as bananas, watermelons, coconuts, sugar canes, mangoes, sour saps, sugar apples, guavas, tapiocas, sweet potatoes, etc. This could cause significant damage to local food crop sources if not contained and eradicated immediately.

The division’s ISET members work in close cooperation and collaboration with the Invasive Species Coordinator, Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Agriculture of the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) with our combined agency resources in order to facilitate timely and efficient responses to biosecurity threats at the ports of entry of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

The actions taken as a result of this discovery was the deployment of certified pest chemical applicators from an approved pest control service provider and followed by the exercise of contamination removal protocols so as to ensure the Port of Saipan is properly sanitized and free of this invasive pest.

The CNMI Department of Finance and CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources consider the interception of invasive pests and microorganisms a high priority and will continue to pursue initiatives that are designed to better protect the ports of entry of the Commonwealth.

For inquiries, please contact Division of Customs Biosecurity at (670) 664-1610 or via email CNMICUSTOMS@dof.gov.mp.  For general information, please contact our office at (670) 664-1100 or email us at info@dof.gov.mp. (PR)