The polyphagous shot hole borer beetle: current status of a perfect invader in South Africa

Van Rooyen, Elmar; Paap, Trudy; De Beer, Wilhelm; Townsend, Garyn; Fell, Shawn; Nel, Wilma J; Morgan, Seamus; Hill, Martin P; Gonzalez, Allan; Roets, Francois

Title: The polyphagous shot hole borer beetle: current status of a perfect invader in South Africa
Creator: Van Rooyen, Elmar
Creator: Paap, Trudy
Creator: De Beer, Wilhelm
Creator: Townsend, Garyn
Creator: Fell, Shawn
Creator: Nel, Wilma J
Creator: Morgan, Seamus
Creator: Hill, Martin P
Creator: Gonzalez, Allan
Creator: Roets, Francois
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 2021
Date: 2021
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480828
Identifier: vital:78480
Identifier: https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-sajsci-v117-n11-a13
Description: The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle is a recent invader in South Africa. Together with its fungal symbiont, Fusarium euwallaceae, it can rapidly kill highly susceptible host plants. Its impact is most profound in urban areas, but it has also been found infesting impor tant forestry, agricultural crop and native species. Since its first detection in 2012, PSHB has spread to all but one province in the country. The beetle-fungus complex has several biological traits that enhance its anthropogenically mediated dispersal, establishment and survival in novel environments - factors that have likely facilitated its rapid spread across the country. We review the history of the PSHB invasion in South Africa, its taxonomic status and the reasons for its rapid spread. We highlight its potential impact and challenges for its management. Finally, we provide an updated distribution map and list of confirmed host plants in South Africa. Of the 130 plant species identified as hosts, 48 of these (19 indigenous and 29 introduced) are reproductive hosts able to maintain breeding PSHB populations. These reproductive hosts may succumb to beetle infestations and act as 'pest-amplifiers'. The economic impact on urban forests, plantation forestry and agricultural crops may be severe, but the ecological impact of PSHB invasion in native ecosystems should not be underestimated.
Format: 9 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: South African Journal of Science
Relation: Van Rooyen, E., Paap, T., De Beer, W., Townsend, G., Fell, S., Nel, W.J., Morgan, S., Hill, M., Gonzalez, A. and Roets, F., 2021. The polyphagous shot hole borer beetle: current status of a perfect invader in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 117(11-12)
Relation: South African Journal of Science volume 117 number 11-12 1 9 2021 1996-7489
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Sabinet Terms and Conditions Statement (https://www.sabinet.co.za/terms-conditions)

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