The City of Cape Town is sounding an alarm after samples taken from trees in the bustling CBD and scenic Hout Bay have confirmed the presence of the destructive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) beetle, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Both the invasive pest and the accompanying fungus pose a serious threat to trees and the environment, marking these areas as the latest victims in the ongoing battle against this pest.
Recent monitoring efforts led to the detection of the PSHB in Boxelder and London plane trees at various locations in the CBD, including Long Street, St Georges Mall, Military Road, and Tamboerskloof. Hout Bay was similarly impacted, specifically along Victoria Road.
The information comes after rigorous DNA testing at Stellenbosch University’s Entomology Department confirmed that all collected samples were infested.
Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, expressed the city’s concern: ‘At this stage, we cannot yet confirm the number of trees infested in these areas as our monitoring teams are actively conducting surveys to determine the extent of the spread.
‘We urge private landowners in the CBD and Hout Bay, as well as other parts of the city, to inspect trees on their properties for visible symptoms and to contact the City immediately if any signs of infestation are found,’
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As the infestation begins to take hold, Andrews also called for cooperation from residents to allow City officials onto private properties to facilitate further assessment.
‘City staff will carry identification cards and wear City-branded clothing during their surveys for clear identification,’ he assured.
The PSHB beetle is particularly notorious for its rapid reproduction capabilities, especially within the Boxelder tree species, which is a known host for the infestation.
Andrews warned, ‘Once attacked, Boxelder trees typically die within a year, amplifying the PSHB population and increasing the risk to surrounding trees. Identifying and logging Boxelder trees can be pivotal for early intervention in preventing wider infestations,’
Residents are encouraged to report sightings and visible symptoms such as:
- Branch dieback, cracks on branches, discoloured leaves, and dry branches.
- Gumming, which presents as goo oozing from the bark.
- Small entry and exit holes resembling sesame seeds on the bark.
- Brown or dark staining on the bark.
To report sightings of the PSHB beetle, residents can:
- Visit the City of Cape Town’s invasive species webpage at www.capetown.gov.za/InvasiveSpecies.
- Call the Invasive Species Unit at 021 444 2357 from Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 16:00.
- Email [email protected].
The PSHB has previously been confirmed in numerous areas across Cape Town, such as Somerset West, Gordon’s Bay, Claremont, and Wynberg, with the addition of the CBD and Hout Bay raising fresh concerns among environmentalists and residents alike as they brace for potential expansion of the infestation.
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Picture: Supplied
Source: City of Cape Town
