Frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders and other insect pests are being transported across the world on cut flowers and potted plants, with the potential to harm nature, according to scientists. These “hitchhiking intruders” have included a tree frog that emerged from roses at a florist’s shop in Sheffield and snakes discovered in ornamental olive trees shipped across mainland Europe.
The production of ornamental plants is growing fast and expanding geographically, particularly in East Africa and South America. While regulations and border checks are in place, the sheer volume of cut flowers and ornamental plants being traded at speed makes it extremely difficult to intercept all the pests and diseases they carry.
The reptile expert was once called in to identify a live frog at a florist’s in Sheffield. He thought it was a prank, but was stunned to find it was a tree-frog that had arrived with roses from Colombia via Ecuador.
Frogs, lizards and insects pests are the main stowaways detected in the UK. Across mainland Europe, a number of exotic reptiles and amphibians have been accidentally discovered, particularly in potted olive trees.
In the research, published in the journal Bioscience, the team analysed records of pests found in ornamental plants at customs in The Netherlands over 2017-2018, and reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK over 2021-2023. They are calling for improved production standards and for data on specific risks from trade to be collected and shared.
Source link
