WALGA has developed an interactive map to show the current Quarantine Zone for the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
The PSHB has now spread to 200 locations across Perth and poses a severe risk to trees in these areas. The State Government is attempting to contain the spread through quarantine zones in 25 Local Government Areas in Perth, restricting the movement of any wood or green waste that could harbour the beetles.
There is no treatment for PSHB. Early detection and prompt removal is key to containing the spread. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) checks over 100,000 lure traps fortnightly, and has removed more than 1,600 trees to reduce the spread.
In WA the three top host trees for the beetle are box elder maple, robinia and coral trees. Other common host species include Moreton Bay and Port Jackson figs, and London plane trees. DPRID is asking people who have a box elder maple on their property or street to report the location of these trees, so they can check if PSHB is present. To learn more about what to look for visit DPIRD’s information page here.
Local Governments are asked to share a recent DPIRD animation with their community to help raise awareness and increase reporting (PSHB Animation Explainer available from the PSHB communication hub - here).
