Pests

In the coming months, some experts predict that ticks and the diseases they cause will be more abundant due to warmer winter temperatures. Worry, though, is unnecessary since prevention is possible.

Here's a simple guide to all things tick:

What are ticks?

The EWG Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, released Wednesday, ranks pesticide contamination of popular fruits and vegetables based on more than 36,000 samples of produce tested by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

This year, strawberries remained at the top of the list of produce with the highest concentration of pesticides, while sweet corn and avocados were ranked as having the lowest concentration.

What are pesticides?

1 News of New Zealand reports the coconut rhinoceros beetle, which was virtually wiped out in the region 50 years ago is making a comeback, spreading its larvae at alarming rates.

"This is probably one of the most important things we need to do now, certainly as soon as possible. There is some urgency," said Colin Tukuitonga from the regional group Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

That's because the beetle eats coconut tree fronds, burrowing into the crown and affecting growth.

In parts of Samoa, it's ravaging the trees.