Insect Pest Native To Med., Africa, Now Endemic In Britain - BBC

[hatrack]

"An insect that normally inhabits warm countries has been found living and breeding in the UK, entomologists say. The green "shield" bug, which attacks a broad range of crops, is usually seen in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Australia, North America and Africa.

Its arrival in Britain is a clear sign of climate change, claim experts from the Natural History Museum, London. "I'm always reluctant to invoke global warming but it is the only explanation" said curator of beetles, Max Barclay.

EDIT

The insects - sometimes known as "stink" bugs, because of the foul odour they emit when threatened - are regular stowaways to the UK. They often get shipped in with imported vegetables but, until recently, they have not been able to stand Britain's cold climate. Now three healthy colonies have been found in London - two in the Queen's Park area and one in Kings Cross.

"When somebody first brought a specimen to me I didn't believe it," Max Barclay told BBC News Online. "I thought somebody had picked it up on their holidays, but it really was eating their tomatoes in London."

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3815833.stm

[blindpig]

1. hate to nitpick

but doesn't endemic mean that they're only found in a given area?

[hatrack]

2. I think it can also be read as "native to" or "widespread throughout"

The main point here, though, is that this insect has been seen in the UK in the past, but has never been able to reproduce or overwinter because of cooler temperatures.

No longer.