Aphis spiraecola is a major, worldwide pest and virus vector on citrus and certain orchard fruit. In the 2000s it has spread through south-east Europe and has entered the UK occasionally in the plant trade. It has occurred in the UK as single, transient colonies in 1996 and 2007. The status of A. spiraecola in the UK would be clarified through monitoring. A. spiraecola may establish on apple, woody ornamental shrubs and in protected cultivation. There is uncertainty as to whether populations could build up enough to cause limited damage. Outbreaks under protection could be controlled by eradication, but this is unlikely to be feasible outdoors.