Polyphagous shot-hole borer

from WA Grower Magazine Summer 2021

Origins Market

polyphagous Eyes peeled for shot-hole borer

f THE polyphagous shot-hole borer attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.

Confirmed detection of the polyphagous shot-hole borer in East Fremantle.

Helen Newman, WA Citrus biosecurity representative, attended monthly updates from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) related to a new exotic beetle, the polyphagous shot-hole borer. It is a pest of a wide range of trees.

DPIRD is responding to the confirmed detection in a backyard maple tree in East Fremantle. Response activities include: • Conducting surveillance to determine the distribution of PSHB; in particular DPIRD is keen for people report if they have a box elder maple on their property or street • Containing the pest to prevent further spread to non-infested regions within WA

f DEVELOPMENT stages of male and female polyphagous shot-hole borer.

• Providing advice and information to residents, industry and other stakeholders • Ensuring that all response activities are conducted safely, consistently and efficiently.

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.

PSHB has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae, cultivating it inside the tree as a food source for the beetle and its larvae. In susceptible trees, the fungus kills vascular tissue causing Fusarium dieback and tree death.

Citrus Australia are continuing to monitor and provide input to the national committee managing the outbreak.