Destructive flower pest confirmed

The fuchsia gall mite is spread by the wind, insects and birds

A destructive pest that attacks the fuchsia flower has been confirmed in three separate cases in the South.

The fuchsia gall mite is a notifiable infestation, which means any suspected outbreaks have to be reported to Defra.

Plant health and seed inspectors confirmed the latest case in Allington, Kent, this week. It has previously been found in Hampshire and Middlesex.

A government scientist said the mites could spread very quickly, and all infected flowers have to be destroyed.

The mites were found in California in 1981, in Brittany, France, in 2003, and then in Guernsey last year.

Paul Bartlett, a consultant entomologist for Defra, told BBC Radio Kent's Sunday Gardening programme it was on a list of pests "which have to be notified and regulated for Europe because it is so damaging".

I don't think we expected it to be quite so widely spread as we've found it this year Paul Bartlett

He said the mites were "absolutely miniscule", and therefore problems only showed up when a great number were present.

The symptoms in fuchsias are a reddening and "collapsing" of the upper parts of the flower.

The latest case in Kent was revealed by a Sunday Gardening caller, who said he was forced to destroy 13 plants and had since learnt of at least three other cases in neighbouring gardens.

Mr Bartlett said he was not particularly surprised because of the cases across the English Channel in Brittany.

"We were perhaps expecting it, but I don't think we expected it to be quite so widely spread as we've found it this year," he said.

But Mr Bartlett added that he hoped a harsh winter could possibly kill the pest off.