New risk to fuchsia plants
17:36 21st October 2010
A new pest is putting the UK's stock of fuchsias at risk, with garden and greenhouse experts yet to find a way to control it using existing pesticides.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Aculps Fuchsiae first appeared in 2007 and has been slowly spreading throughout the south of England.
The tiny mite can be spread by bumblebees or even the wind and growers have been advised to take extreme care when sharing cuttings or fuchsia plants.
Also known as the fuchsia gall mite, the pest was first discovered when a gardener sent in a sample to the RHS' advisory service, which has now reported an increase in the number of cases throughout the south of the country.
"This is a devastating pest because it destroys the plant's shoot tips and flowers," explained RHS principal entomologist Andrew Halstead.
The expert added that the Food and Environment Research Agency has yet to take any action against infestations in private gardens, despite asking that cases be reported to it.
Meanwhile, the RHS recently noted that disease is threatening the UK's famous conker trees.
