Non-native invertebrate plant pests established in Great Britain: an assessment of patterns and trends

摘要

We constructed a database containing information on 325 non-native invertebrate plant pests that have established, or are suspected to have established, in Great Britain during the period 1787 to 2004. The database is designed to identify trends in pest establishments and to aid the prediction of future plant health risks. Records of establishment were analysed in relation to the taxon, type of environment, mode of entry, origin of the pest and changes over time. The Homoptera and Lepidoptera formedthe majority of non-native species. Only 15% of establishments occurred in protected environments. Forty-seven per cent of all establishments occurred during or after 1970. Thirty-four per cent pose a significant risk to plant health, and approximately half of these became established after 1970. All but one of the significant post-1970 establishments were on ornamental plants. Of the post-1970 pests on cultivated hosts, 44% were accidentally introduced, compared with 6% colonizing naturally. The mode of entry could not be designated for the remaining species. Most non-native plant pests originated in continental Europe, with substantial minorities contributed by North America and East Asia. The numbers and composition of species that have establishedin Great Britain since 1970 are broadly similar to those observed in France, Italy and Spain.