Overview

• The Colorado beetle, confirmed in Kent in 2023, threatens UK potato crops and other plants like tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers by feeding on their foliage.
• Public reporting and vigilance are being emphasized as key to preventing the beetle's establishment, drawing on past eradication successes in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1970s.
• The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is showcasing identification and reporting guidance at the Chelsea Flower Show, urging attendees to capture and report sightings with photos and location details.
• The beetle often enters the UK as a 'hitchhiker' on imported leafy vegetables, herbs, and other produce, underscoring the importance of biosecurity measures.
• Prominent figures like Alan Titchmarsh and officials warn of significant risks to UK food security and potato exports if the pest is not swiftly eradicated.