Lily beetle, red lily beetle, scarlet lily beetle, Lilioceris lilii, hemerocallis gall midge, day lily gall midge, Contarinia quinquenotata, Berberis sawfly, Arge berberidis, rosemary beetle, Chrysolina americana, box tree caterpillar, box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, invasive non-native pests, web survey, citizen science.
Non-native animals and pathogens can pose a threat to plant health and biodiversity worldwide, this includes horticulture, agriculture and native wildlife. In addition to the problems they cause in gardens some non-natives can cause problems in the wider environment, for example lily beetle has the potential to threaten snakes-head fritillary populations (Fritillaria meleagris) and the berberis sawfly can defoliate native Berberis vulgaris, threatening the rare barberry carpet moth (Pareulype berberata). Box tree caterpillar could threaten box (Buxus) stands in areas such as Box Hill, Surrey. In order to assess these threats and provide accurate advice to gardeners the establishment, distribution and spread of non-native animals is monitored.
The project is providing information on the distribution and host range of four non-native invasive garden pests, improving knowledge of these insects and the advice provided by the RHS. These pests are lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii), rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana), Hemerocallis (day lily) gall midge (Contarinia quinquenotata), box tree caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis) and berberis sawfly (Arge berberidis). The information gathered means that a more accurate assessment can be made of the threat that these non-natives pose to gardens and the wider environment. There are the additional benefits of engaging with current and future RHS members and the general public ('citizen science'), informing policy and contributing to the scientific community worldwide.
Outcomes of the surveys blog
Rosemary beetle Lily beetle Berberis sawfly Hemerocallis gall midge Box tree caterpillar Sumbit records and find out more
Lily beetle
Berberis sawfly Hemerocallis gall midge Rosemary beetle Box tree caterpillar
Lead scientist profile
Andrew Salisbury, RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.