Warnings about sneaking snakes and tree frogs hiding in potted plants - ORSOLTECH

A snake has been discovered on ornamental trees transported across mainland Europe

Getty Images A brown and gold spotted snake coiled on a bed of gravel with one amber eye visible. — A snake has been discovered on ornamental trees transported across mainland Europe

Frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders and other insect pests are being transported across the world by cut flowers and potted plants, with the potential to harm nature, scientists say.

These “wandering intruders” include a tree frog that emerged from roses in a flower shop in Sheffield and snakes discovered in ornamental olive trees shipped across mainland Europe.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge say the shipments could also contain invasive pests capable of causing serious damage to crops and the countryside.

With the global market for plants, bulbs and cut flowers expanding rapidly, they say there is an urgent need to improve standards.

An Italian wall orchid was found in potted plants imported to the Netherlands

Els Fransen Ravon A small green lizard sitting on the trunk of an ornamental olive tree with a background of pebbles. — An Italian wall orchid was found in potted plants imported to the Netherlands

“Adult snakes and lizards are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Professor William Sutherland from the University of Cambridge. “If they succeed, what chance do they have of discovering the little bugs and fungi — the things that really cause the problems?”

Ornamental plant production is growing rapidly and expanding geographically, especially in East Africa and South America.

Dr Silvio Pietrovan from the University of Cambridge said that despite regulations and border controls, the sheer volume of cut flowers and ornamental plants being rapidly traded makes it extremely difficult to intercept all the pests and diseases they carry.

“Even with the best intentions, unwanted travelers pass through customs import checks all the time,” he said.

Continental European snakes, geckos and lizards have been found in ornamental olive tree imports in the Netherlands.

University of Cambridge Five mature olive trees arranged in black plastic containers are for sale in a nursery. — Continental European snakes, geckos and lizards have been found in ornamental olive tree imports in the Netherlands.

A reptile expert was once called in to identify a live frog at a florist in Sheffield.

He thought it was a joke, but was surprised to discover it was a tree frog that had arrived carrying flowers from Colombia via Ecuador.

Frogs, lizards and insect pests are among the most important insects discovered in the UK.

Throughout mainland Europe, a number of exotic reptiles and amphibians have been discovered by accident, particularly in potted olive trees:

Lizards, such as geckos, and several species of continental European snakes

A large number of insect pests.

An Italian wall orchid was found on a box in a plant nursery in the Netherlands

Felix Verschoor Ravon A small green, brown, white and black lizard crawls across a black plastic box among fallen leaves. — An Italian wall orchid was found on a box in a plant nursery in the Netherlands

In the research published in the magazine Biological sciencesThe team analyzed records of pests found on ornamental plants at customs in the Netherlands during 2017-2018, and reported to the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during 2021-2023.

They call for improved production standards and the collection of data on specific risks arising from trade and exchange.

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