How the Shot Hole Borer is Devastating Western Australia’s Urban Canopy

A tiny pest known as the Shot Hole Borer has devastated Western Australia’s tree canopy, resulting in the loss of nearly 5,000 trees and leaving many parks severely bare. Despite a joint $57 million eradication effort funded by state and federal governments, authorities conceded in June that eradication was not feasible, shifting towards an 18-month transition to a management phase. Experts warn this pest could spread across the country, threatening native forests and horticultural industries, while stressed biosecurity resources and rising invasive species highlight an urgent need for smarter collaboration and increased funding.

See the ABC video about the spread of Shot Hole Borer beetles here: