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Warning over Colorado beetle

Sevenoaks Chronicle

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May 29, 2025

'SAVAGE' THREAT TO UK'S POTATO CROP

- By REBECCA SPEARE-COLE PA sustainability reporter

Warning over Colorado beetle

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has urged people to keep an eye out for Colorado beetles, which pose a “savage” threat to the British potato industry.

The insects and their larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and other plants, including aubergines and peppers, which can weaken the crops and reduce yield.

The invasive species was confirmed in a field in Kent after a laboratory diagnosis in 2023, marking the first known case on UK soil in 50 years.

If the beetle is not eradicated and spreads across the country, it could have a significant economic impact on the British potato industry.

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