Latest news with #ColoradoBeetle
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Alan Titchmarsh warns Kent residents to look for Colorado beetle
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has urged the public to keep an eye out for a beetle which he said posed a threat to the British potato industry amid an outbreak of the invasive species in Colorado beetle, which feeds of the foliage of potatoes and other plants, was confirmed in Kent after a laboratory diagnosis in 2023 and marked the first known case in the UK in 50 hope that the outbreak can be eradicated by the end of the year, but warned the public to remain vigilant to the at the Chelsea Flower Show, Titchmarsh said: "It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country." He added: "It's so savage, it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts. It's that fast."Titchmarsh said the secret was to "stamp it out before it becomes reality", adding: "There's so much waiting on the doorstep."Colorado beetles can weaken crops, such as potatoes and aubergines, and reduce who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container, if possible, and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black beetles have been known to be imported into the UK on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen Nicola Spence, chief plant health officer at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry."The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity."
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent warning over ‘savage' invasive beetle species that could devastate UK crops
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has issued a stark warning about the "savage" threat posed by Colorado beetles to British potato crops. Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show, Titchmarsh urged vigilance, emphasising the potential devastation these insects could inflict on the UK's potato industry. The Colorado beetle and its larvae consume the leaves of potato plants, as well as other crops like aubergines and peppers. This feeding frenzy weakens the plants and significantly reduces yields. The beetle's destructive potential was highlighted by a recent discovery in Kent, the first confirmed case on UK soil in 50 years. After laboratory diagnosis confirmed the presence of the invasive species in 2023, concerns have grown about the potential economic impact should the beetle spread. Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA is exhibiting at this year's Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Alan Titchmarsh issues urgent warning to gardeners over 'savage' pest that will 'wipe out crops' completely
Alan Titchmarsh has issued an urgent warning to gardeners about a pest so savage it could 'wipe out crops' completely. Any green-fingered enthusiast will know to keep an eye out for slugs, but the TV gardener warned that there could be a far more invasive threat - the Colorado beetle. Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show this week, Titchmarsh warned that the tiny black and yellow-striped pest is one of the biggest threats to the UK's food security and could pose a 'savage' threat to the British potato industry. The expert warned that if the situation is left untreated, the troublesome insects could spread 'like locusts' and decimate the UK potato crop in as little as 10 years. Colorado beetles were eradicated from British soil 50 years ago following a vigilante campaign in the 1970s but larvae from the insects was discovered in a potato field in Kent in 2023, marking the first known return of the species. However, swift action by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) and DEFRA meant the situation was managed and kept under control. Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He added that the key to avoiding disaster is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality' - but reassured gardeners that all will be okay. 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' Titchmarsh said. The avid gardener also reflected on his experience of the 1970s outbreak and praised the green-fingered community of the time for coming together. He said: 'We just need to be vigilant. We managed to stamp it out about 50 years ago. 'I remember when I was a boy there were posters in police stations and post offices saying "look out for this beetle" but I never saw one because we were quite vigilant.' The Love Your Garden host went on to highlight the importance of the UK working towards growing more of its own food. He said: 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Anyone who spots the insect is urged to catch it in a container and contact APHA with a photo and location details of where it was found. The beetle, which is around 6mm to 11mm in size, does not pose a threat to human health but has been known to be imported into the UK on food items, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain, and frozen vegetables. Therefore, experts are urging people to check these items as well as any vegetables picked from their gardens and allotments before consuming them. Officials are hopeful that the outbreak – the first case of a breeding population since the 1970s – can be declared eradicated by the end of this year, but warned the public need to remain vigilant to the threat. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, also encouraged all green-fingered brits to be on the look out for the Colorado beetle. She said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA currently holds an exhibit at this year's Chelsea Flower Show with the hopes of raising awareness about the impact the pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent warning issued about ‘savage' beetle ‘devastating' crops
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has issued a stark warning about the "savage" threat posed by Colorado beetles to British potato crops. Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show, Titchmarsh urged vigilance, emphasising the potential devastation these insects could inflict on the UK's potato industry. The Colorado beetle and its larvae consume the leaves of potato plants, as well as other crops like aubergines and peppers. This feeding frenzy weakens the plants and significantly reduces yields. The beetle's destructive potential was highlighted by a recent discovery in Kent, the first confirmed case on UK soil in 50 years. After laboratory diagnosis confirmed the presence of the invasive species in 2023, concerns have grown about the potential economic impact should the beetle spread. Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA is exhibiting at this year's Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent warning issued about ‘savage' Colorado beetle ‘devastating' crops
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has issued a stark warning about the "savage" threat posed by Colorado beetles to British potato crops. Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show, Titchmarsh urged vigilance, emphasising the potential devastation these insects could inflict on the UK's potato industry. The Colorado beetle and its larvae consume the leaves of potato plants, as well as other crops like aubergines and peppers. This feeding frenzy weakens the plants and significantly reduces yields. The beetle's destructive potential was highlighted by a recent discovery in Kent, the first confirmed case on UK soil in 50 years. After laboratory diagnosis confirmed the presence of the invasive species in 2023, concerns have grown about the potential economic impact should the beetle spread. Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA is exhibiting at this year's Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
