Warning of snakes and tree-frogs hidden in potted plants
getty imagesAccording to scientists, frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders and other insects are being carried around the world on cut flowers and potted plants, which have the potential to harm nature.
These “hitchhiking intruders” include a tree frog that emerged from roses at a florist’s shop in Sheffield and snakes found in ornamental olive trees shipped to mainland Europe.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge say the shipments may also include invasive pests capable of causing serious damage to crops and rural areas.
He says the global market for plants, bulbs and cut flowers is growing rapidly, so better standards are urgently needed.
Else Fransen Raven“Adult snakes and lizards are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Professor William Sutherland of Cambridge University. “If they’re moving, what are the chances we’ll see little insects and fungi – the things that really cause problems?”
Ornamental plant production is rapidly increasing and expanding geographically, especially in East Africa and South America.
Dr Silviu Petrovan, of the University of Cambridge, said that although regulations and border checks are in place, the rapid trade of huge quantities of cut flowers and ornamental plants makes it extremely difficult to prevent all the pests and diseases they bring. Is.
“Even with the best intentions, unwanted hitchhikers are going through customs import checks all the time,” he said.
Cambridge UniversityA 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 see that it was a tree-frog that had brought roses from Colombia via Ecuador.
Frogs, lizards and insects are the main stowaways found in the UK.
In mainland Europe, many exotic reptiles and amphibians have been accidentally discovered, particularly in potted olive trees:
- Lizards, such as geckos, and several species of continental European snakes
- A large number of insects.
felix vershoor ravenIn research published in the journal BioscienceThe team analyzed records of pests found in ornamental plants at customs in the Netherlands during 2017-2018 and reports to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK during 2021-2023.
They are calling for better production standards and for businesses to collect and share data on specific risks.
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