Fuchsia Gall Mite - Update from DEFRA 13.09.07.

Posted on 20 September 2007

I am sorry to inform you that Fuchsia gall mite (Aculops fuchsiae) has this week been diagnosed in southern England.

Fuchsia plants in private gardens were found to be infected. One of the findings was on plants grown from cuttings brought back home from a holiday in France. This pest is covered by plant health legislation (EC Plant Health Directive 2000/29) which makes clear that this organism is banned on plants of Fuchsia intended for planting, other than seeds.

We are contacting trade associations about this finding and will be visiting commercial premises in the areas affected. Meanwhile I would suggest that you look at the information on our website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/fuchsia.pdf 

Please advise your local Plant Health Inspector of any suspect findings. See  http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/offices.pdf

You may also be interested to see the information about this pest on http://www.eurofuchsia.org

I thank you in anticipation of your help in this matter.

Yours etc

Graham Clift
Plant Health and Seed Inspector
DEFRA

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