Britain’s gardeners have been warned to be on the lookout for spittlebug insects, which can spread a deadly plant disease. The red and black creatures are particularly active at this time of year, as they prepare to lay their eggs on plants around the country. Also known as froghoppers, the insects feed by sucking sap from a plant and encasing themselves in a ball of foam for protection while devouring their nutritious meal.
They then lay their eggs, leaving behind an odd “spittle”, before moving on to their next host.
The spittlebug does not remove enough nutrition to harm the plant and poses no threat to human health.
However, they can be carriers of the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium, which is a deadly plant disease.
Although there is presently no known instance of the bacterium in the UK, scientists are seriously worried that it could be introduced into the country via infected imported host plants.
The bacterium is native to the Americas, where it causes disease in many important crops including citrus, coffee and grapevine.
Until recently Xylella, was absent from Europe but in 2013 the bacterium was identified as the cause of death of olive trees in southern Italy.
There are now major outbreaks of ornamental plants in southern France, the Balearic Islands and southern Spain.
Most recently the bacterium was detected in Portugal, in Lisbon and the Algarve.
Xylella infects a wide range of plants including many popular species grown in gardens, such as cherry, hebe, lavender and rosemary.
If the bacterium was found in the UK, all plants within a 100m radius would have to be destroyed, while a 5km plant quarantine would need to be established for up to a period of five years.
Xylella causes a variety of symptoms which can include leaf scorch, wilt, dieback and plant death.
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UK-grown plants or seeds pose a very low risk.
Plants that have been established in a garden for more than five years and which have been previously healthy are also deemed as low-risk.
However, if a plant has been imported from abroad, then this carries a higher risk for plant diseases including Xylella.
Scientists are asking people to report any sightings of the froghoppers spittle, just in case, so that any outbreaks that do occur could be linked and tracked to what causes them.
A spokesperson for the Spittlebug survey said: “Please let us know when you see either spittle, nymphs (juveniles) or adults of the xylem-feeding insects (spittlebugs/froghoppers and some leafhoppers ) that have the potential to act as vectors of the bacteria.
“These records will help us build up a picture of where the bugs are found, what plants they feed on and how much they move around.
“This information will be essential for deciding how best to respond should the Xylella bacterium arrive in the UK.”
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has advised gardeners not to take matters into their own hands if they suspect their plants have been infected with the bacterium.
In a posting to their website, they wrote: “If you suspect that Xylella fastidiosa could be present in your garden you should not attempt to control the disease yourself.
“Collect together all available details including the host plant name, symptoms, origin, and import history and report your suspicions to the relevant plant health authority.”
