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. Source

Eurek Alert

Washington

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United States

Research finds despite regulations and border checks, imported cut flowers and pot plants present a growing risk because the sheer volume of trade makes it difficult to monitor and control. Insects, fungi, reptiles, spiders and various agricultural pests 

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BBC News

Government of the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Warnings of stowaway snakes and tree-frogs hiding in pot plants

Rising temperatures could see more pests introduced on increasingly tropical plants

The Independent

Evgeny Lebedev

London

Greater London

England

Snakes and spiders slipping into country in flowers and plants

Invasive species including snakes and lizards are slipping unnoticed into northern Europe in vast shipments of cut flowers and potted plants, researchers have warned.

Irish Independent

Mediahuis

Ireland

‘Snakes are just the tip of the iceberg’ – warning over species slipping into northern Europe in imported plants

Frogs and snakes are entering the UK hidden inside potted plants and flowers (Picture: University of Cambridge/Getty) Snakes, lizards and geckos – these are just some of the creatures sneaking into the country hidden in potted plants and cut flowers. Researchers from the journal Bioscience have warned this is ‘just the tip of the iceberg’. This is because insects, fungi, spiders and agricultural pests are also being imported into the UK through …

Metro News

Alfred Harmsworth (barrister)

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth

Patricia Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere

Warning after stowaway snakes and tree-frogs hide in common potted plants

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Warnings of stowaway snakes and tree-frogs hiding in pot plants
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…

Upstract

Recent studies have highlighted a growing issue where a variety of wildlife, including frogs, snakes, and insects, are being inadvertently shipped around the

The Global Herald

Increased Risk of Stowaway Wildlife in Imported Plants and Flowers - The Global Herald

Felix Verschoor RavonIn 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.Follow Helen on Bluesky. Article Attribution | Re…

Research finds despite regulations and border checks, imported cut flowers and pot plants present a growing risk because the sheer volume of trade makes it difficult to monitor and control. Insects, fungi, reptiles, spiders and various agricultural pests

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