Xylella – the silent killer

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium that colonises the water carrying cells (xylem) of a wide range of plants.  Eventually, the bacteria can block the xylem so badly as to cause the death of the plant.


This bacteria is carried from plant to plant by sap sucking insects, most notably spittlebugs, which create the well known “cuckoo spit”.


There is no known cure.