Beetle alert for farmers and gardeners

by Faith Eckersall

Farmers – and gardeners – in Dorset are being urged to look out for Colorado beetles, an invasive species with the power to decimate entire potato crops.

The yellow and black pests have been spotted at an undisclosed location in the neighbouring county of Hampshire, following an unrelated outbreak of the insect in Kent.

The sighting was confirmed following a report from a member of the public.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency removed the beetle and will be conducting surveys in gardens, potato crops and land around the finding to ensure there are no other Colorado beetles present.

If not eradicated, Colorado beetles are a significant threat to potato crops.

The adult beetles and larvae feed on the foliage of potato and other plants in the nightshade family and can completely strip them of their leaves if they are left uncontrolled.

However, they are not a threat to human or animal health, said the APHA. The beetle is bright yellow or orange with black stripes and is usually between 8.511.5mm in length and 3mm in width.

Its larvae are a reddish brown in colour, round and globular, and up to 15mm in length.

If you spot a Colorado beetle call 0300 1000 313 or email planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk.