Several of the species can cause damage in Norway.
"Here are hiding species that we absolutely do not want in Norway", says Ellen Hambro, head of the Norwegian Environment Agency Miljødirektoratet, in a press release.
Among the harmful insects are, among other things, the tomato moth, which attacks tomato plants and can threaten the indigenous Norwegian tomato cultivation. A type of weevil, which eats seeds and is said to be able to reduce seed production in coniferous trees by up to 70 percent, has also been found, as well as the weed white goosefoot.
"Many garden owners are probably familiar with the Spanish slug (killer slug), which first came to Norway as a stowaway with imported plants and which is now found throughout the country. We fear that we will get even more species that spread and cause damage", says Hambro.
Behind the figures are random samples taken by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research over the past ten years, including among other things the clods of earth where imported plants grow.
Last year, over 20,000 tons of garden plants were imported to Norway.
