Lessons from a major pest invasion : the polyphagous shot hole borer in South Africa

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Authors

Paap, Trudy
Wingfield, Michael J.
De Beer, Z. Wilhelm
Roets, Francois

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

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Publisher

AOSIS Open Journals

Abstract

The arrival and establishment of invasive forest pests can cause devastating environmental damage and great economic impact. For example, the cost over the past decade of dealing with the arrival of a single invasive beetle in the USA, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), is estimated at more than USD10 billion. Originating from Asia, this beetle has killed hundreds of millions of native ash trees since it became established in the USA. However, this beetle is but one of hundreds of invasive insect pests that impact forests in the USA, and that contribute to a global tree health crisis caused by invasive insects and pathogenic microorganisms.

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Keywords

Biosecurity, Euwallacea fornicatus, Fusarium die-back, Invasive forest pest, Urban forest

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Paap T, Wingfield MJ, De Beer ZW, Roets F. Lessons from a major pest invasion: The polyphagous shot hole borer in South Africa. South African Journal of Science 2020;116(11/12), Art. #8757, 4 pages. https://DOI.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8757.