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

 

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.