This page has been published by the Shire in collaboration with the Leschenault Biosecurity Group (LBG), with information sourced from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

 

Biosecurity Alert: Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)

The pest and its impacts:

The Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a wood-boring invasive beetle, native to Asia that excavates tunnels, or galleries, in the trunks and branches of trees. PSHB farms a fungus, which they spread inside tunnels, disrupting the plant’s vascular system and the flow of water and nutrients. This exotic beetle has been detected in South Africa, Israel, the USA, and most recently in Argentina.

In Australia, the box elder maple (Acer negundo), robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and coral trees (Erythrina x sykesii) are considered the highest risk host species. Other key host genus for surveillance include maple (Acer), plane (Platanus), avocado (Persea) and fig (Ficus) trees.

 

If you suspect a plant or tree is infested with PSHB, please contact DPIRD immediately - here's how you can make a report:

Report via the MyPestGuide® Reporter app

reporting your observation with this app will  automatical maps location of your report and provides photos of your observation directly to DPIRD

Call or e-mail DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service

 

How can we protect the environment in our Shire and the South West?

While this serious environmental and agricultural pest polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) has been detected in the Perth metro area, including outside of an established Quarantine Areait has not spread outside of the Perth metropolitan area.

The PSHB does not move far on its own but can travel long distances when people move plants or wood from areas of infestation. You can help protect our natural resources, urban trees and truffle, fruit and nut tree industries by doing the following:

  • Visit the DPIRD website via the link below for related photos and up-to-date information on the PSHB.
  • Monitor susceptible species including street trees for signs of PSHB damage.
  • Report any suspected PSHB observations directly to DPIRD via the MyPestGuide® Reporter app or via the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080, padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.
  • Firewood - buy it where you burn it.Don't burn wood from host trees, especially if it looks like it has borer damage. PSHB beetles disperse when infested wood is burnt.
  • Speak to your friends and neighbours to create awareness.
  • Disinfect pruning tools. Any tools (including chainsaws and woodchippers) that come into contact with infected wood should be sanitised before using on uninfected trees.
  • Avoid moving prunings or wood products from a known PSHB infestation area.

It is important to remember that the European House Borer is in the South West, and has been known to be confused with the PSHB. The difference between the two is that PSHB is an exotic pest that has been found in Perth’s south, and that the European House Borer affects only dead, dry softwood timber, like pine, fir and spruce. The European House Borer has been present in WA for over 17 years and should certainly still be reported via any of the following reporting methods - it's always best to be safe than sorry.

Containment and Eradication efforts underway

  • The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is working hard to eradicate the serious declared pest Polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) as part of a nationally coordinated and funded biosecurity response.
  • The PSHB biosecurity response is the biggest surveillance program in the department’s history and is subject to a $41 million nationally funded eradication program.
  • If PSHB were to become established in WA, it could significantly impact on our urban canopy and valuable agricultural industry.
  • DPIRD is working together with residents, businesses, Traditional Owners, Local Government, and other organisations to stem the spread of PSHB.
  • Through the combined efforts of surveillance, trapping, tree management and quarantine restrictions, together with public information, DPIRD is ensuring every effort is being made to contain the spread of PSHB.
  • Unfortunately, there are currently no effective chemical treatments and infested trees can die within two years. Tree pruning and removal of infested trees is the only way to stop the spread.
  • Developing an effective treatment is extremely challenging as the borer and its associated fungus damages the tree’s vascular system, and prevents chemicals being taken up and distributed within the tree.

Symptoms of PSHB Infestation

Detection of PSHB is difficult as they are very small – about the size of a sesame seed.

  • PSHB signs include multiple entrance holes in the trunk or branches about the size of a ballpoint pen tip, frass or sawdust, dieback and dark galleries.

    MyPestGuide Reporter app – Report a pest today! 

    MyPestGuide lets you quickly identify pests and report your observations instantly to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).  This app was developed to encourage everyone (public, industry, and government) to report observations of any common, interesting, or possibly exotic pests, as well as the absence of pests across Australia.

    By using the MyPestGuide app you will be supporting your local community, defending WA’s s agriculture industry, and protecting the natural environment from unusual or suspected exotic pests. Check out the FREE support tools for MyPestGuide:

    MyPestGuide: download or learn more

    • Report all kinds of plant pests, diseases, weeds, animals, and aquatic organisms
    • Your report helps to monitor, map, and manage pest incursions; you may even identify an emerging threat

    Additional Information & Resources