What are the Polyphagous and Kuroshio Shot Hole Borers?
The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks dozens of tree species in Southern California, including commercial avocado groves, common landscape trees, and native species in urban and wildland environments.
PSHB spreads a disease called Fusarium Dieback (FD), which is caused by pathogenic fungi. Trees that are FD-susceptible may experience branch dieback, canopy loss, and, in some cases, tree mortality.
Like PSHB, Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer (KSHB) is an exotic Euwallacea species that also vectors Fusarium Dieback. Both beetles are present in Southern California but are concentrated in different regions. See their known distribution here.
PSHB News
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Invasive shot hole borers (ISHB) are a pest and disease complex potentially affecting over 200 tree species, but posing a strong risk to box elders, sycamores, and other riparian and urban trees, as well as being a nuisance pest for avocado. The beetles...
By Sabrina L. Drill
Author - Natural Resources Advisor -
We're moving north, and holding a training workshop with CalFire ongoldspotted oak borer and invasive shot hole borers May 9th, 2019 in San Luis Obispo! This workshop will address biology, identification, surveillance, and management of infested...
By Sabrina L. Drill
Author - Natural Resources Advisor -
Invasive shot hole borers are in the news again. Our collaborator, Greg McPherson with the US Forest Service, has just released a new estimate of the potential damage polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers may cause as the spread across the...
By Sabrina L. Drill
Author - Natural Resources Advisor
www.pshb.org was made possible by support from the US Forest Service Forest Health Protection Program, UC Riverside, Orange County Parks, the California Avocado Commission, and the work and in-kind support of federal, state, and local partners.
Latest News
So Many Shot Hole Borers: New research charts four nearly identical species
Entomology Today
Jiri Hulcr & Jackson Landers, 01/07/2019
Reducing the Spread of Invasive Pests in Cut Wood/Managing ISHB in Southern California (2 articles)
UC IPM Green Bulletin
California Firewood Task Force/Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann, Fall 2018
Beetle Mania: The Nasty Insect that is Killing the Trees of Johannesburg
Yale Environment 360
Tips from Disney expert: Horticulture Team Battles the Beetle
Orange County Register
Tiny Beetle Killing Trees, Ups Fire Risk in San Diego
NBC 7 News
Get PSHB Updates
Online Training
ISHB on-line training! The course is served by the eXtension national online learning platform (and users will need to create a free account).
ISHB Detection & Management Assessment
Before reporting infestations, take this online assessment to see if your tree is suffering from ISHB damage.
