Scott Meadows, the assistant director of rural economy and head of plant health at the department, says the increase in goods coming from Asia, especially China, is now regarded by the department as a significant risk.
Collections of seeds, fruit and vegetables might also carry pests and diseases that could cause considerable harm to Island trees, hedgerows and plant life, he said.
‘Human traffic plays an enormous part in it. For example, bonsai trees are now mass produced and come in tubs of soil,’ he said.
‘People buy wooden furniture from places like the Far East, bring it home and then a year later their lounge is full of moths or beetles.
‘Although 99.9 per cent of imports hit European Union countries first and are subject to border checks, there will always be items that make it through, sometimes with incorrect paperwork.’
Potato crops continue to be under threat from the Epitrix potato beetle – prevalent in Portugal and Spain and which also feeds on peppers, tomatoes and aubergines – and the Colorado beetle, which also feeds on spinach and leafy salads and is capable of making the journey from France. ‘In the last few years we have had two arrivals, in St John and Mont Mado, which were imported on camping gear,’ said Mr Meadows.
Mr Meadows said that Island trees were particularly vulnerable, not only from a range of diseases and pests – such as chestnut blight, sudden oak death, and oak and pine processionary moths – but also from global warming. A recent concern has been ash die-back disease, which was accidentally imported on 5,000 trees from Germany.
‘Trees have really taken a battering in the last decade and they are also under stress because of climate change,’ he said.
FASCINATING, sometimes beautiful, often colourful and on occasion harmful to humans and the environment, diverse species of insects have been making their way around the globe.
Sharp-eyed naturalists may already have come across several newcomers that have travelled north naturally as the climate continues to warm up:
- Southern green shield bug originally from Africa but recently seen at Mont Cochon, this bug likes tomatoes and beans. Look out for a black hard spot on tomatoes.
- European paper wasp a striking wasp that has moved north from North Africa through southern Europe as a result of climate change. No known biodiversity issues.
- Ivy bee another newcomer from southern Europe. Pollinates ivy which is an important food source, but also may compete with native species.
- Blister beetle a companion to the ivy bee, which is its host species. The larvae let off a pheromone which mimics the female bee.
- Southern emerald damselfly has been in Jersey since 1995 and in the south of England since 2002.
- European stink bug first seen in Jersey by Mr Ransom in 2009, the first sighting of this bug in Britain.[/breakout]
In the main, their tiny world is one we hardly notice unless, of course, they are seen in great numbers or pose some threat to human health or the region we inhabit.
Yet their existence is the foundation for all other life forms, and without their help our world would look very different.
Although climate change is undoubtedly encouraging some European insect species to move northwards, human activity plays a large part in wider migration, particularly from Asia, says Jersey entomologist and independent consultant Tim Ransom.
‘The most threatening instance is accidental introduction from worldwide commerce, without proper checking,’ he said. ‘There is a need for biosecurity, which basically means carrying out checks at borders and doing what we can to reduce risk.’
One place that really sets the bar for biosecurity, he says, is New Zealand. ‘At the airport they stop you and check your boots for mud and ask when was the last time you walked in the woods. As far as Jersey goes, not every border can be that strong, but we should be doing what we can.’
Where do they hide? Imported wood, plants and foodstuffs are the main carriers of insect life, and can also harbour fungal diseases. The risk is all the greater given the increase in internet trading, which enables goods to be purchased more easily and directly from anywhere in the world.
Because some Asian species have already arrived on the south coast of England and in Normandy, shipments from these areas are just as likely to bring into Jersey unexpected small travellers. One of the less desirable characters is the Asian longhorn beetle, which can cause widespread damage to many deciduous trees including sycamore, horse chestnut, beech and hazel. Accidentally introduced in wooden crates used for shipping, it has already been found in Kent and in central France.
‘In reality, wooden containers should all be checked, tested and pre-treated,’ said Mr Ransom, a former countryside officer at the Environment Department. ‘In Jersey, because we are surrounded by water, we should be able to protect ourselves more easily.’
Harmful or harmless?
Lessons can be learned from the Harlequin ladybird, an Asian species introduced intentionally in Europe to control aphids, and which since 2007 has been increasing in Jersey.
‘Introducing species intentionally is never a good idea,’ said Mr Ransom, explaining that having eaten the aphids, the Harlequins then turn their attention to the native species of ladybirds, as well as moth and butterfly eggs.
‘About a thousand species have been affected,’ he said. ‘Insects are at the bottom of a lot of food chains, so if the web is broken, it has an impact on the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as ourselves, because it affects pollination and therefore plants.’
That said, not all species are so invasive or damaging. ‘It goes hand in hand with climate change – species coming north through Europe are not necessarily a threat, if they are native, because they will bring their predators with them. Some could be positive, some neutral, others could be negative. Things that are already here might be forced out, but other species will follow up behind.’
Too hot for comfort
The fact that the climate is becoming warmer further north means that newcomers, both neutral and negative, will survive all the more successfully – something that is expected to increase over the next 20 years or so.
At the same time, the breeding pattern of our own native species of insect may change.
‘It is possible that they may breed earlier, although at the other end of the season the later generations may not survive, so that does not necessarily mean there will be more of them,’ said Mr Ransom.
In fact, in terms of the emergence of spring, everything is happening earlier than it used to. ‘Everything has evolved to be in sync, but with climate warming the risk is that there will be pollinators but no flowers, or birds with nothing to feed their chicks, or that parasitic species will emerge all at the same time – the ecological web starts to break down,’ he said.
- Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) introduced to Europe from Japan in shipments of used tyres. Known to spread Chikunguya disease and Dengue fever. Breeds in places where there are discarded tyres. Not yet in Jersey or the other Channel Islands, but has been recorded in northern France.
- Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) introduced accidentally into France in 2005 (possibly in a consignment of pottery from China). Predator of social wasps, bees and other insects. Spreading north through France but not yet in the Channel Islands or the UK.
- Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabropennis) accidentally introduced in solid wood packing, the larvae can cause extensive damage to deciduous trees by boring into the wood. Adults spread quickly and can fly up to two kilometres from an infected site. Recorded in Kent and central France.
- Mediterranean termite (Reticulitermes grassei) the most destructive insect pest of wood in the United States, causing billions of dollars in damage to homes. Enter buildings through any wood in contact with the soil. Recorded in Devon and France.
- Mosquito (Culex modestus) introduced accidentally in shipments, known to be a major transmitter of West Nile Virus. No evidence of the disease in the UK, but outbreaks in France and has killed over 1,000 people in the United States. Also causes death to birds and horses. Recorded in the UK and France.
- Horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) first recorded in Macedonia, believed to have spread accidentally on leaves stuck to vehicles. Caterpillars burrow into the leaves and can cause die-back, weakening the trees resistance to other pests and diseases. Has been recorded in the Channel Islands.
- Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) very damaging, says Mr Ransom, as they form super-colonies and take over
- the area. They cause an increase in aphids because they harvest the honeydew from the aphids and protect them against predators. Also invade homes and resist pesticides by laying more eggs. Have been found in Guernsey. Travels in imported goods and produce.
- Pharaohs ant (Monomorium pharaonis) a tropical species that thrives in warm buildings such as hospitals and can access wounds and medical instruments, spreading infection and medical interference. Has been found in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.[/breakout]
TIM first became interested in wildlife when he was a child and volunteered at several centres and sanctuaries while travelling before signing up to study for a degree in applied ecology at the University of East London in Stratford.
With his qualification under his belt, Tim travelled across Europe, working for such diverse institutions as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and at a seal sanctuary in Holland.
He then worked as a mammal keeper at Durrell, which was then Jersey Zoo, before a stint as countryside ranger with the Environment department and a seven-year role at the conservation-based Francis Le Sueur Centre in St Ouen.
He also worked in Scotland as a ranger at Glenlivet before returning to Jersey about four years ago and taking up his current role as a voluntary entomologist for the National Trust for Jersey, keeping records of the wildlife at its properties.
What are the legal requirements?
Jersey is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992, as well as the Bern Convention, according to which the Island should ‘prevent, control or eradicate’ alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species and conserve native and endangered species and habitats.
Under the Conservation of Wildlife Law (Jersey), it is also an offence to release or allow to escape any animal or bird that is not ordinarily resident or a regular visitor to the Island.
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity involves taking precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pests, pathogens or invasive species, such as:
Close monitoring and checking of all imported goods, such as wood products, plants and food
Checking of vehicles arriving at the harbours for soil or leaves
Improved public education
Close co-operation with the authorities in the UK and Europe to share knowledge
How can we help?
Never bring plants, seeds, flowers, fruit or vegetables (including potatoes) into the Island illegally
If you do want to import plants, contact the Environment Department first to find out if you can do this legally
