In the hills surrounding many of the avocado orchards in southern California are oaks. Even in the middle of orchards, and not only in avocados, but also some citrus orchards. These iconic trees are at risk from a killer pest - Goldspotted Oak Borer. Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) Agrilus auroguttatus is an invasive pest contributing to the on-going oak tree mortality occurring on federal, state, private, and local Native American lands in many areas of San Diego County.
GSOBis a flatheaded borer beetle new to California that poses a significant threat to oak trees. The pest is native to southeastern Arizona, where it is found in oak woodlands. GSOB was first collected and identified in California in 2004 in San Diego County but was not linked to extensive oak mortality until 2008. As of 2010, GSOB killed an estimated 21,500 trees covering 1,893 square miles in San Diego County in forests, parks, and residential landscapes.
Isolated areas of infestation have now been confirmed in Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties in Southern California. Widespread oak mortality can have severe implications to the environment and human safety. Due to the current and potential impacts to California oaks and communities, public and private organizations are working together in the research, education and outreach efforts related to GSOB management.
Read More and See More about GSOB: https://www.ucanr.edu/site/goldspotted-oak-borer
And if you are in the Ventura area, here is a specific reporting survey for GSOB:
https://www.ucanr.edu/site/goldspotted-oak-borer/report-goldspotted-oak-borer-symptoms
