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Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Beetle threat

<div class="ExternalClass416994B717FD446A9DB0CA878145C6C6"><p>The PSHB is an <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Nature-and-environment/invasive-species-programme">invasive species </a>that poses a serious threat to Cape Town’s urban forest. It can easily spread across suburbs if extra precaution is not taken. Apart from infected wood, the beetle can spread through clothing, vehicle crevices, or unclean horticultural equipment. We need the support and collaboration of residents and businesses to prevent the spread of the pest.</p></div>

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">PSHB Public Questionnaire </h2></span><span> <p>The City urgently needs your input to assist in managing the spread of this infestation as the PSHB is currently posing a huge threat to our trees and urban forests.</p> <a title="Download" class="btn" href="https://www.research.net/r/3JPCNPW" target="_blank">complete survey</a></span><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">About the PSHB beetle</h2></span><span> <p>The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer, also known as Euwallacea fornicatus, is a tiny invasive black beetle, approximately 2 mm long (the size of a sesame seed) and is native to Southeast Asia.</p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/PSHB_3.jpg" alt="" /></figure></span> <p>It attacks exotic, as well as indigenous trees in South Africa. Oak trees and old drought stressed trees are at high risk. </p><p>The beetles make tunnels, or galleries in the trunks and branches of the host tree and lay their eggs. Female beetles carry a fungus (Fusarium euwallaceae) from tree to tree that grows in their tunnels. Adult beetles and their larvae depend on the fungus for food. The fungus in the tunnels disrupts the flow of water and nutrients to the tree causing branch dieback and ultimately the death of the tree. </p><h4>The infestation in Cape Town</h4><p>A <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Borer_Beetle_Threat_Advert.pdf" target="_blank">PSHB beetle infestation</a> was first discovered in Somerset West in March 2019. The beetle has now spread to the southern suburbs of Cape Town. This pest poses a serious threat to our urban forests as infested trees need to be chipped when they become diseased and pose a danger to people and property.</p><h4>To date, infested trees have been discovered in:</h4><ul><li>Alphen, Constantia</li><li>Penhill, Eerste River</li><li>Newlands</li><li>Rondebosch</li><li>Mowbray</li><li>Claremont</li><li>Kenilworth</li><li>Observatory, along the Liesbeek River</li><li>the Helderberg area </li></ul><h4>Affected tree species include, among others:</h4><ul><li>Boxelders</li><li>London Planes</li><li>English Oaks</li><li>Beef Wood</li><li>Weeping Willow</li><li>Cape Chestnut</li><li>Black Locust</li><li>Paperbark</li><li>Maples</li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">How you can help</h2></span> <p>You can help us by following a few preventative measures, spreading awareness and reporting sightings.<span><br></span></p><table style="width:590px;"><thead><tr><th>DO</th><th style="width:306px;">DON'T</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Assess all trees and plant material for PSHB symptoms</td><td style="width:306px;">Do not move any plant or tree material beyond areas with confirmed cases of PSHB</td></tr><tr><td>If you must transport infested material, make sure you take it to your nearest PSHB infested biomass handling facility and use the shortest route with no or few susceptible host species </td><td style="width:306px;">Infested plant or tree material should not be transported or moved out of the area, where possible.</td></tr><tr><td style="height:59px;">Transport green waste in closed and sealed bags, or cover the back of the vehicle with a sail cover</td><td style="width:306px;height:59px;">Do not plant trees that are declared to be <a href="http://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/research-groups/pshb-new/background-info/host-trees" target="_blank">PSHB host trees<i class="icon link-external"></i></a></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1">Clean gardening and other tools before and after use, and disinfect vehicles used to transport green waste</td><td rowspan="1" style="width:306px;">Do not use contractors that have not been trained in PSHB identification and handling of PSHB infested material</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1">Buy firewood where you are going to use it</td><td rowspan="1" style="width:306px;">Do not buy and move firewood from areas where there are confirmed cases of PSHB</td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><h4>Replacing PSHB infested trees on private properties<br></h4><p>If you want to replace PSHB infested trees on your property, consider one of our 28 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Recommended-Trees-List.pdf" target="_blank">recommended trees</a>. Planting an indigenous tree or non-invasive exotic tree, suitable to our climate and the specific site, will assist in mitigating the impact of the beetle on Cape Town’s urban forest.</p><p>The City's list of recommended trees includes indigenous and mostly locally indigenous species, that are not reproductive host trees, meaning that the PSHB has not been sighted in these trees. </p> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/tree-list.jpg" alt="" /></figure></span> <p>Access the resources below for more information about the beetle threat and what you can do to help:</p><div class="content-accordion"><div class="content-trigger contentTrigger"><h3>Resources<i class="icon button-down-arrow"></i></h3><div class="content-toggle contentToggle" style="display:none;"><p> <strong>Documents</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Borer_Beetle_Threat_Advert.pdf" target="_blank">Borer Beetle Threat Advert</a> (1.01 MB)<br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Trained_PSHB_Contractors_List.pdf" target="_blank">Contractors for PSHB Beetle management</a><br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Shot_Hole_Borer_Information_Booklet.pdf" target="_blank">How to Protect Cape Town’s Trees against the Beetle</a> (7.27 MB) </li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Recommended_Plant_Species_List.pdf" target="_blank">Recommended Plant Species to Replace PSHB Infested Trees</a><br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Recommended-Trees-List.pdf" target="_blank">Recommended Trees Poster</a><br></li></ul><p> <strong>Useful links</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/environmental-resource-management/green-infrastructure-programme" target="_blank">Green Infrastructure Programme</a><br></li></ul><p> <strong>Videos</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://youtu.be/Os0l_zYkYqA" target="_blank">How to identify trees infested by the borer beetle pest<span class="icon link-external"></span></a><br></li><li> <a href="https://youtu.be/LabL5MJ-lk0" target="_blank">PSHB Beetle Community Meeting<span class="icon link-external"></span></a></li></ul><p> <strong>Media releases</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news#k=borer%20beetle">See all media releases</a></li></ul></div></div></div> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Symptoms of infested trees</h2></span> <p>What to look out for:</p><ul><li> <strong>Branch dieback</strong> – cracks on the branch; discoloured leaves; dry and leafless branches; branch break-off revealing webs of galleries filled with black fungus </li><li> <strong>Gumming</strong> – blobs of goo coming out of the bark; oozing of liquid and gum from the beetle holes </li><li> <strong>Entry and exit holes</strong> – very small holes on the bark of the tree, the size of a sesame seed (2 mm); shotgun-like scars developing around the holes </li><li> <strong>Staining</strong> – brow or dark stains on the bark of the tree </li></ul><p>Use our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Invasive_insect_Identikit.pdf" target="_blank">Invasive Insect Identikit </a>and watch the video below to find out how to identify an infested tree. </p><div class="responsive-media"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Os0l_zYkYqA" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div><h2 class="sectHeading">What to do with infested trees</h2><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> Infested trees must be chipped on site and <strong>may not be removed </strong>from the property as the removal of the chipped wood will spread the pest to other areas. <strong>Pesticides and fungicides are not effective</strong>, the only way to get rid of the beetle is to chip the infected material. </p></div></div><ul><li>Chip the tree, place the infested material in refuse bags, seal it and put these in direct sunlight for at least six weeks </li><li>Dump the chips in your compost heap as the heat build-up will kill the beetle </li><li>Burn infected wood chips at an appropriate incineration facility </li><li>Where chipping is not possible, cut infested wood into smaller pieces that can fit into solarisation plastic bags </li><li>Tightly close and seal the bag with infested material and place it in an area with direct sunlight. Leave it to solarise for at least six weeks in summer and up to six months in winter </li><li>Seek assistance from <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Trained_PSHB_Contractors_List.pdf" target="_blank">trained and equipped service providers </a>with sound knowledge of PSHB </li><li>Do not move plant/tree material/firewood outside of areas where PSHB has been confirmed to be present</li><li>Do not transport any form of green waste in open vehicles, cover it with sail covers even if no PSHB has been identified </li><li>Clean tools and equipment used to trim/cut/prune plants </li></ul><h4>Solarisation site</h4><p>A section of the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Sports%20fields/Chukker%20Sports%20Ground">Chukker Road Sports Complex </a>in Kenwyn has been identified as a suitable site for the solarisation of PSHB infested material.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p> No chipping operations will be carried out at this facility. We will only accept PSHB infested wood material that is already chipped and secured in bags that are properly closed. </p></div></div></span> <p>City officials will be on site on a daily basis to inspect all vehicles that are bringing in material for solarisation. Only confirmed cases of PSHB infested loads will be accepted for this purpose.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Training sessions</h2></span> <p>The City offers free Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB) pest training to formal and informal businesses that handle trees and plant material. </p><p>Officials from the City’s Invasive Species Unit host the training sessions, and provide attendees with facts about the beetle, including: </p><ul><li>How to identify infested trees and what symptoms to look out for </li><li>What to do next</li><li>What not to do </li><li>How to handle infested biomass </li><li>How to safely dispose of infested biomass </li><li>How to transport green waste </li><li>How to handle equipment and machinery in a manner that will not spread the pest to other areas</li></ul><p>Check our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news#k=borer%20beetle" target="_blank">media and news section </a>to find out when the next training session is, or email <em> <a href="mailto:Admin.Invasive@capetown.gov.za">admin.invasive@capetown.gov.za</a></em> for more information.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Report sightings</h2></span> <h4>Cape Town municipal areas:</h4><ul><li>Online, at <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/InvasiveSpecies">www.capetown.gov.za/InvasiveSpecies</a> </li><li>Call the City's Invasive Species Unit on <a>021 444 2357</a>, Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 16:00 </li><li>Send an email to: <em> </em> <a href="mailto:invasive.species@capetown.gov.za"> <em>invasive.species@capetown.gov.za</em></a><em> </em> </li></ul><h4>CapeNature:</h4><p>To report sightings on <a href="https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves" target="_blank">CapeNature reserves<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, email: <em> </em> <a href="mailto:pshb@capenature.co.za"> <em>pshb@capenature.co.za</em></a></p><h4>Other areas:</h4><p>Visit the Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at <a href="https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/">https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p>

Find out more about the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Beetle threat in Cape Town.