Scientists call for volunteers to help pre-empt deadly plant disease

Experts on high alert for Xylella fastidiosa, believed to be spread by froth known as cuckoo spit

Scientists are calling for thousands of keen-eyed volunteers to report findings of frothy spittle, often called cuckoo spit and found on plants across the UK, in a pre-emptive strike against a deadly plant disease.

Xylella fastidiosa, is described by the European commission as "one of the most harmful pathogenic bacteria worldwide". It arrived in Europe six years ago and has already struck several countries, devastating olive groves in southern Italy, and spreading to other EU countries including parts of France and Spain.