The Albanese Government has committed up to $19.995 million for Western Australia as part of a joint effort to contain and eradicate the current outbreak of Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borers (PSHB).
The State Government has also invested $4.7 million to the national response, which is being driven by more than 160 full time local employees.
PSHB (Euwallacea fornicatus) are tiny beetles that bore into living trees where they deposit a fungus which disrupts the flow of water and nutrients, leading to the plant’s death.
Many trees have been removed from popular public spaces in Perth including Kings Park to stem the spread and protect healthy neighbouring trees. There is no known chemical solution that can eradicate the beetle – only the removal or pruning of infested trees can contain its spread.
The beetle was first detected in Australia in August 2021 at East Fremantle in WA and it is unknown how and when the beetle entered Australia.
Quotes Attributable to Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“WA is leading an unprecedented biosecurity response to eradicate this destructive borer to protect Perth’s urban tree canopy.”
“We have been working together for more than 18 months with local councils, residents, businesses, Traditional Owners and other organisations doing everything we can to stop the spread.”
“We are also consulting with scientists from around the world to learn from their experiences in managing this borer and will continue our efforts as part of national response plan to eradicate this invasive pest from WA.”
Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is leading the cost-shared national response plan through to 2025.
Quotes Attributable to Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman:
“These funds will help eradication attempts for a beetle that poses a significant threat to the survival of Australia’s urban tree canopy.”
“The beetle has the potential to lethally damage more than 400 host species including ornamental, fruit, nut, and amenity trees.”
“This funding will help us continue to assist Western Australia to eradicate this damaging agricultural and environmental pest under the national emergency response arrangements.”
“With the support of the federal government, Western Australian authorities will continue to work closely with local plant industries, councils and the community to monitor PSHB, remove infested host trees and educate the public about the biosecurity risks posed by the beetle.”
Fast facts:
- PSHB is native to Asia and has invaded South Africa, Israel, and the USA (California, Hawaii).
- In Australia, the box elder maple (Acer negundo) and robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) are considered the main reproductive host species and amplifier trees. Other key host genus for surveillance include maple (Acer), oak (Quercus), plane (Platanus), coral (Erythrina), avocado (Persea), fig (Ficus) and poplars (Populus) trees. Many of these tree species are important street and amenity trees.
- Female PSHB beetles can fly up to 400 metres or by the movement of infested firewood and green waste material to find their next target host tree. Spring and autumn are when it’s most likely to be seen, when it moves to new trees.
- The PSHB response is being cost-shared under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. The Australian government and all state and territory governments are contributing to the cost of the eradication of PSHB.
- Since August 2021, DPIRD response staff have inspected more than 1.6 million trees on over 60,000 properties making it the biggest surveillance program in the department’s history. Signs of PSHB can be reported to the department via the MyPestGuide® reporter app or the Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080, email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
For more information visit Polyphagous shot-hole boreragric.wa.gov.au/borer