Alan Titchmarsh has raised the alarm over the return of a brutal pest, which is said to pose a serious risk to the food industry, after a sighting in Kent in 2023
Gardening pro and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh has warned fellow green-fingered enthusiasts to be on the lookout for one nasty pest.
He has warned that this destructive menace, namely the Colorado beetle, can completely “wipe out crops”, with people already wary of other creatures such as slugs, mealybugs, ants and aphids, known for destroying plants.
At the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show, Alan warned that the tiny black and yellow-striped pest is one of the biggest threats to the UK’s food security, as reported by the Daily Mail. And it could pose a risk to the British potato industry.
Colorado beetles were eradicated from British soil 50 years ago following a vigilant campaign in the 1970s. However, larvae from the insects were discovered in a potato field in Kent in 2023, marking the first known return of the species.
While quick action by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) and DEFRA meant the situation was kept under control, Titchmarsh still urges the public to be vigilant.
He said: “It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. It’s so savage it’ll wipe crops out. It’s like locusts – it’s that fast.” He added that the most effective way to avoid a disaster is to “stamp it out before it becomes reality”. However, he later reflected on how the outbreak of the 1970s brought the gardening community together.
Colorado beetles are typically between 6mm to 11 mm in size and have distinctive yellow and black stripes on their shells. Meanwhile, their larvae are typically 15 mm long and a reddish colour.
In the wild, they can weaken crops, like potatoes and aubergines, and reduce their yield. They are also known to strip the foliage from tomatoes and peppers.
The beetle has been known to be imported into the UK on different food items. These include leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables.
Therefore, experts are urging people to check these items. Equally, they also need to keep an eye on any vegetables picked from their gardens and allotments before consuming them.
Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department’s chief plant health officer, said that the Colorado beetle “poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry”. She also added that the public have an important role to play in helping to protect UK biosecurity.
The public have been urged to report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). They should also include a photo and location details.