People like decorating their homes and yards with live plants and cut flowers. Many of these are imported from other parts of the world.
The trade in ornamental (decorative) plants is a multibillion-dollar business. When plants are moved around the world, sometimes animals hitchhike on them. These animal species can become agricultural pests or invasive species in ecosystems where they are not native.
Researchers looked at a database of 8,000 animals found on ornamental plants coming into the Netherlands from other parts of the world in 2017-2018. They also analyzed reports of non-native animals coming into the United Kingdom on ornamental plants between 2021 and 2023. The research revealed that 80% of the hitchhiking animals were insects. Spiders were the next most common animals found.
Some hitchhiking exotic amphibians and reptiles have been reported by people working with ornamental plants in shops and airports. Potted olive trees from Italy are likely responsible for the introduction of the Italian wall lizard and the Moorish gecko to Spain.
David Brown adapted this story for kids. It is based on an article by Kristine Sabillo, published on Mongabay News.
