Detection of Euwallacea fornicatus (Shot hole borer) in South Africa

Publication Date

Fri, 16 Mar 2018, 07:58

Last Updated

March 16, 2018, 7:58 a.m.

Report Number

ZAF-39/1

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Euwallacea fornicatus - (XYLBFO)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Several tree species with a wide host range that include Avocados, Macadamia, Peach, Orange, Grapevine, Pecan and Macadamia. Forest tree including: Cussonia spicata (Cabbage tree), Calpurnia aurea (Common Calpurnia), Diospyros lycioides (Monkey plum), Erythrina humeana ( Dwarf coral tree), Erythrina lysistemon (Common coral tree), Schotia brachypetala (Huilboerboom), Melianthus major (Honey flower), and several commercial trees such as Persea americana (Avocado), Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia nut),Carya illinoinensis (Pecan), Prunus persica (Peach) Citrus sinensis (Orange) and Vitis vinifera(grapes).

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Unknown

Geographical Distribution

The specimens were detected in some parts of Kwazulu-Natal Province near the town Pietermaritzburg and in Gauteng Province near the suburb of Sandton.

Summary

The polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea nr. fornicatus) which is a tiny beetle and its fungal symbiont (Fusarium euwallaceae) were detected during routine surveys on Plane Trees (Platanus x acerifolia) in 2017 and 2018. Molecular identification of this pest was conducted since the taxonomy of these beetles is apparently not easy and difficulties with regard to the morphology were experienced.

Danger

Host plants of this pest in South Africa.

Contact for info

Ms Muneiwa Ratshilingano Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Private Bag x14 Gezina 0031 South Africa [email protected]

Report files

Detection of Euwallacea fornicatus in South Africa

Website

Issue keywords

Detection Emergency measures Insects/Insecta/Arthropods Risk Management

Commodity keywords

Citrus fruit, fresh or dried Fresh or dried avocados Fresh peaches, incl. nectarines