What is the polyphagous shot-hole borer?

The shot-hole borer is a small beetle native to Southeast Asia.

About the size of a sesame seed, it tunnels into the trunks, stems and branches of trees and plants.

In susceptible trees, the fungus cultivated by the shot-hole borer disrupts the plant’s vascular system stopping the flow of water and nutrients and can lead to branch dieback and tree death.

Quarantine area

Vincent is included in Zone A of the DPIRD quarantine area. The following restrictions apply:

• Do not move untreated or unseasoned wood outside Zone A, unless chipped to pieces that are 2.5cm or less in diameter.
• Do not move plant materials, including living plants, that are greater than 2cm in diameter outside Zone A.
• Ensure any machinery used to handle green waste is cleaned before it can be moved outside Zone A

The shot-hole borer does not affect grass so lawn clippings can be disposed of as normal.

Susceptible tree species

The highest risk tree species are the box elder maple (Acer negundo), robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and coral tree (Erythrina x sykesii). Other key host species for surveillance include plane (Platanus), fig (Ficus), poinciana (Delonix), mirror bush (Coprosma) and mulberry (Morus).

Green waste collections

Your green waste collection can be booked as normal. However, please check for signs of the borer both before and after pruning.

Look for holes that are approximately the size of a ballpoint pen tip, galleries (tunnels) and frass (noodles) or crystalline foam (sugar volcanoes) coming from the holes.

Is the City of Vincent trialling the same treatments as the City of Canning?

We are continuing to work with DPIRD, industry experts and other local governments, to trial treatments, share information and raise awareness about the borer in our communities.

Trials similar to those in the City of Canning are among the options being tested in the City of Vincent.