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The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer is an ambrosia beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae, which causes branch die-back and can kill susceptible trees. In 2017 the presence of this pest was confirmed in South Africa by the FABI team, and it has since been found in all provinces except Limpopo. This makes the PSHB invasion in South Africa the largest geographical outbreak of this beetle in the world. It is affecting trees in all sectors: the agricultural and commercial forestry sector, urban trees (public spaces, streets, gardens), as well as native trees in natural forests.

At present researchers at FABI, in collaboration with colleagues from several other Universities, are coordinating monitoring efforts and leading research on the PSHB and its fungus in South Africa. The purpose of this webpage is to provide:

1. Background information on the PSHB and its management to the general public and all stake holders,
2. Updated information on its distribution and its host trees in South Africa,
3. Feedback on ongoing research and monitoring efforts by the PSHB Research Network, and
4. A platform for the public to make us aware of possible new host trees of PSHB and localities where it occurs.

 

 

 

New Publications

Nel WJ, Slippers B, Wingfield MJ, Yilmaz N, Hurley BP. (2023) Efficacy of commercially available Entomopathogenic agents against the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer in South Africa. Insects 14(4) 10.3390/insects14040361
de Wit MP, Crookes DJ, Blignaut JN, de Beer ZW, Paap T, Roets F, van der Merwe C, van Wilgen BW, Richardson DM. (2022) An assessment of the potential economic impacts of the invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Africa. Journal of Economic Entomology 10.1093/jee/toac061 PDF
Crous PW, Osieck ER;J, Shivas RG;Z, Bañares A;B, Burgess TI, Cabero J;C, Ferreira RJ;F, Ivanova DD;I, Lebeuf R;L, McTaggart AR, Mehrabi-Koushki M;M, Nel WJ, Nguyen TH;N, Reul M;R, Sato T;S, Tonegawa C;T, Visagie CM, C.M.; Vizzini A;V. (2022) Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi 47(6):1284-1382. 10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.06
Van Rooyen E, Paap T, De Beer ZW, Townsend G, Fell S, Nel WJ, Morgan S, Hill M, Roets F. (2021) The polyphagous shot hole borer beetle: Current status of a perfect invader in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 117(11/12) 10.17159/sajs.2021/9736
De Beer ZW, Fell S. (2021) The Threat of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer to Pecan Trees is perhaps less than initially expected. SA Pecan 90:29-31. bit.ly/3kZpldC PDF