Colorado beetle eradicated from the UK

Following extensive operational investigative work and surveillance, on 11th December 2025 the UK government announced that the Colorado beetle has been eradicated from the UK.

This major pest can completely strip the leaves from potato plants and several other crops, including tomatoes, aubergines and peppers, resulting in significant impact if left uncontrolled.

The Colorado beetle was discovered in Kent in July 2023 following laboratory diagnosis of samples, with one finding later that year. With no further beetles now having been found in the space of two years, eradication status has been reached.

Colorado beetle, which does not pose a risk to human health, has previously been detected on imported plant products, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves and fresh herbs. The beetle is highly distinctive: orange-yellow in colour with 10 characteristic black stripes on its body.

The co-operation and vigilance of farmers, gardeners and allotment holders has played a key part in the eradication campaign along with effective biosecurity measures from the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Defra.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said:

“Colorado beetle can pose a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry, and I’m grateful for the role of farmers, home gardeners and allotment holders in helping us take the action needed to protect our national crops.

“This has been a huge team effort and is good news for the potato industry, but in order to prevent further outbreaks, it is vital the public continue to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.”

Animal and Plant Health Agency Chief Executive Richard Lewis said:

"This is a significant achievement for APHA operational teams, working with Defra, the potato industry, farmers, home gardeners and allotment holders."

Surveillance activities included regular inspections of original outbreak fields and selected potato fields in Kent to rule out incursions resulting from blow over from mainland Europe. Periodic outbreaks of the pest between 1901 and the 1970s also saw it swiftly eradicated due to inspections and public vigilance.

• If you find what you suspect to be a Colorado beetle in England and Wales, please do not let it go – capture it in a secure container and report any suspected sightings to APHA as soon as possible by telephoning 0300 1000 313 or by emailing the planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk mailbox. All sightings should include a photograph and location details.
  
• You can see what the beetle looks like via Defra’s plant pest factsheet. 
• For Scotland, contact the Scottish Government’s Horticulture and Marketing Unit: For agricultural crops contact the local RPID officer: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/AOcontacts/contacts. 
• For Northern Ireland, contact the DAERA Plant Health Inspection Branch: Tel: 0300 200 7847 Email: planthealth@daera-ni.gov.uk Website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/plant-and-tree-health
  
  
• The Colorado beetle plant pest factsheet provides more information about the beetle’s life cycle and provides information on how to differentiate it from some of our native beetle species.