NMBM cautions residents on discovery of polyphagous short hole borer beetle in the Bay

Upon investigation, the NMBM officials confirmed that indeed a borer beetle was the
cause of the decaying or death of the tree.

It should be noted that an outbreak of this beetle was detected in South Africa in Kwa-
Zulu Natal Botanical Garden Pietermaritzburg in 2017 and has already caused death
to trees in the area and in Cape Town.

NMBM Public Health Mayoral Committee Member, Cllr Thsonono Buyeye said the
City has been on the lookout since the information came to its attention.

"This borer beetle is called polyphagous short hall beetle that bores into trunks of
favourable host trees and start its life cycle in the tree and feeding on the tree
eventually killing the tree. This beetle originated from South-East Asia and was
detected in Perth and Western Australia in 2011. The danger is that the trees die and
are more vulnerable to strong winds as they are rotten. We want to warn our people
to be on the lookout, we don't want the rotten trees to fall on people, children or
property," said MMC Buyeye

How is the Polyphagous Beetle identified?
The Polyphagous Beetle is a small black or brown 1mm in size with greyish hairs. It
belongs to the Curculionidae family.

It is a dangerous beetle due to its rapid multiplication within its host. It bores into the
trees causing short holes that are closed by the wood dust on the outside of the tree
that look like fungus.

It has been spotted in various species of trees that includes the Quercus species,
Acacia species and Brachychiton species. Its manifestation results in the dryness of
leave of the tree and eventually death.

Things to be taken into consideration when removing the tree that has been
infested by the borer beetle:

• Use of special chainsaws for the infected tree
• Use of tarpaulin, canvas or black dampcourse to cover the material in the truck
once tree has been felled
• Use rope to secure the plastic covering the branches on the truck
• Covering remaining tree stumps with plastic after removal of the tree
• Transporting cut material to a safe area for burning to prevent further spreading
of the pest.

Residents can report any suspected infestation of the beetle to NMBM on
0415061729/11 or email to [email protected].