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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Farmers and growers - pests and diseases to look out for

    Topics:
    • Crops and Horticulture, 
    • Food, 
    • Plant and Tree Health, 
    • Forestry, 
    • Northern Ireland Plant Health Risk Register, 
    • Pests and diseases in agriculture

    Intensive agriculture and horticulture is especially vulnerable to outbreaks of new pests and diseases. Farmers and growers monitoring their crops on a day to day basis play a critical role in detecting new pests and diseases at an early stage. This provides the best opportunity to prevent their establishment in the wider environment and causing serious economic damage.

    The Northern Ireland Risk Register can be a valuable source of intelligence for the industry in identifying new outbreaks.

    Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne) damage in oats
    Root knot nematode (Meloidogyne) damage in oats

    Current risks

    Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

    Male spotted wing drosophila is distinguished from other species by a distinct spot on each wing
    Male spotted wing drosophila is distinguished from other species by a distinct spot on each wing


    The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a major threat to soft fruit, stone fruit, tomatoes, vines and other crops and could cause serious losses in the UK if not controlled. Its presence in the UK has been idenitified and was confirmed in September 2012. It is now present in all fruit growing areas of England.

    • Spotted wing drosphilia information leaflet

    Colorado beetle

    Adult Colorado beetle
    Adult Colorado beetle


    The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a serious pest of potato, present in the EU, but absent from the UK. In May 2015 there was a UK finding linked to imported French potatoes. As well as entering the UK on potatoes, beetles are also occasionally imported as hitchhikers on non-host plant material, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs and grain.

    • Colorado beetle information leaflet

    Ralstonia solanacearum (race 1)


    Wilting symptoms on young shoots of Rosa plants in greenhouse. Photo courtesy of Netherlands Plant Protection Organisation
    Wilting symptoms on young shoots of Rosa plants in greenhouse.
    R. solanacearum (race 1) has a wide host range and can cause brown rot in potatoes, but pathways for the spread of infection between glasshouse horticulture and potato crops are unlikely. R. solanacearum (race 1) is mainly spread through movement of infected planting material and via contaminated water. Symptoms seen include stems with black discoloration and necrosis, chlorotic and wilting leaves.

    • R. solanacearum information leaflet

    Related content

    • About the Plant Health Risk Register
    • Blackleg of potato (Dickeya solani)
    • Forests and parks - pests and diseases to look out for
    • Gardens - pests and diseases to look out for
    • Get involved/report suspected cases
    • More information on the NI Plant Health Risk Register
    • Plant and tree diseases of current concern
    • Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN)
    • Potato Flea Beetle (Epitrix spp.)
    • Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd)
    • Ring Rot and Brown Rot
    • Ring rot of potatoes (C. michiganensis)
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