ANOTHER BUG

Here's an extract from an article in the Amateur Gardening Magazine regarding another bug to look out for:

"Tree experts say that they are treating the UK's first outbreak of Asian Longhorn Beetle [ALB] "extremely seriously".

Officials at the Food and Environment Research Agency [FERA]aid the infestation, in Kent, could have "severe consequences for British trees". Larvae of the Beetle were discovered in Poplar trees, but it is also a threat to Maple, Elm, Horse Chestnut, Willow, Poplar, Birch and some fruit trees. Larvae feed on the inside of trees and plants, killing growth or leaving it weak and susceptible to pest and disease attack.

Head of Plant Health Policy at FERA, Martin Ward, said "T urge members of the public, local businesses, and land owners to be alert for the Beetle and let us know if they find anything. Adult Beetles are large [about 20-40mm long] and are shiny black with white markings. Most distinctive is their antenna - up to twice their body length and are black with white or blue bands.

It is thought that the Beetles entered the UK in wood packaging used to import stone from China. The Forestry Commission's Dr John Morgan warned "Eradication measures to treat outbreaks in the US and Italy resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of mature trees."

Yet another bug to be on the look out for

 

I used to have a girl friend who looked a bit like that..........she looked worse when I was sober.:WINK1:

 

Thanks for the warning . I'll have to keep a close eye on our poplars - well, the first six foot of them