Plants infested with whitefly destroyed

Plants that were discovered to be infested with whitefly have been destroyed. The plants included a batch of water primrose from Singapore, which were found infested at Manchester Airport. A batch of creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Nummularium), was also found at Manchester Airport last month to be infected with whitefly.

Tobacco Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a pest which often infests herbs and imported plants. This particular species should be reported to the Fera Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) if discovered on plants.

Other batches that had to be destroyed by officials last month included a batch of basil from Malaysia, which was found at Heathrow airport to be infested with tobacco whitefly and consignments of aubergines from India and Pakistan, which were found to be infested with Thrips.

Thrips are tiny insects that feed off plants and animals. Some experts have recommended using unusual methods of controlling Thrips, including spraying them with drinks such as Mountain Dew.