A summary of strategies for monitoring, containment, and eradication. By Anna Mouton. There are currently no registered — or even unregistered — treatments to eliminate PSHBs or their fungal symbiont from infested trees. Prevention is the only option available to…
The invasive polyphagous shot-hole borer threatens fruit trees. By Engela Duvenage. Polyphagous shot-hole borers began killing trees in gardens and forests nationwide in the past five years. Prof. Francois Roets of the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch…
Is it coming to an orchard near you? By Anna Mouton. Shot-hole borers are diminutive beetles that cause oversized trouble. One member of this group — the polyphagous shot-hole borer — has invaded South Africa and was recently detected in…
A guide to PSHB biology. By Anna Mouton. What are PSHBs? Polyphagous shot-hole borers — PSHBs — are beetles in the weevil family. They form part of a group called ambrosia beetles. Ambrosia beetles feed on fungi that they establish…
This invasive pest was featured in the September 2023 Fresh Quarterly. What have we learnt since then? By Anna Mouton. Polyphagous shot-hole borers are wood-boring beetles that establish and cultivate fungal gardens in their host plants. The beetles feed on…
South African stakeholders launch a counteroffensive against the invasive beetles threatening our trees. By Anna Mouton. No one knows when polyphagous shot-hole borers — PSHBs — snuck into South Africa. Their cover was blown in 2017 thanks to a surveillance…