Colorado beetle found in the United Kingdom
On 3 September 1976 a breeding colony of Colorado beetles was found on a small part of an 18 hectare crop of potatoes near Ramsgate, Kent. To date 203 beetles have been found. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has commenced a thorough eradicatory campaign which will continue throughout the 1977 growing season.
On 20 October 1976, 16 Colorado beetles were found in Dutch rye seed cultivar Dominant at a farm in Wiltshire. The rye was imported from Cebeco Holland. Subsequently 28 more beetles were found at different places. 219 hectares at 25 farms had already been sown with the contaminated seed. As there is the possibility that Colorado beetles may have been placed in the soil during sowing the M.A.F.F. has commenced a precautionary eradicatory campaign.
Sources
Ministry of Agriculture, London (1976-11)