Biosecurity Alert: Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer

The City of Gosnells is assisting the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to help stop the spread of the invasive pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus.

The PSHB poses a significant threat to urban tree canopy and possible threat to the agriculture industry. 

The best source of information and advice about PSHB can be found on the DPIRD website.

What is Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)

The PSHB is a tree-boring beetle that attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trucks, stems and branches. It creates a fungus that kills the tree by restricting or preventing the movement of water and nutrients within the tree. This causes symptoms such as Fusarium dieback and eventually tree death. The beetle also causes structural damage in the tree.

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A Quarantine Area Notice restricting the movement of wood and plant material has been put in place to help stop the spread of PSHB. The Quarantine Area was extended to cover the Perth Metropolitan area, spanning a large number of local government areas, including the City of Gosnells.

Help protect our trees

Detection of PSHB is difficult as they are very small – about the size of a sesame seed. However, there are a number of symptoms that indicate a tree may be infested. To help protect our trees, visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to learn more and find out how to report PSHB sightings. 

Green Waste Disposal

The invasive pest polyphagous shot-hole borer has been detected in the Perth metropolitan area, and a quarantine area has been implemented to help protect WA’s forests, food and agriculture industries. All green waste should be securely contained for transport in a covered trailer, truck or skip bin. For more information, visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Polyphagous shot-hole borer webpage.

More information and contact

Phone: 08 9368 3080 
Email: padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Website: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/borer

 

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