UC Riverside and UC Cooperative Extension Discuss Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer at the Huntington Library

Dr. Akif Eskalen, University of California – Riverside, and Dr. John Kabashima, University of California Cooperative Extension – Orange County, gave a demonstration of the symptoms caused by the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (also known as the PSHB) today at the Huntington Library. In attendance were employees of the city of Pasadena and the California Avocado Commission, as well as Dan Berry, the nursery manager of the Huntington's botanical gardens, and Dr. Sabrina Drill, University of California Cooperative Extension – Los Angeles.

Dr. Eskalen demonstrated effective scouting techniques to identify the borer and how to properly prune and dispose of infected wood. Since the borer vectors two dangerous fungi, Fusarium euwallaceae and Graphium sp., it's important that these procedures are followed to prevent their spread.

For more information about Fusarium dieback and the PSHB, check out the Eskalen Lab at UCR. 

For handouts in English and Spanish regarding the symptoms and what to do if you find them, click here. 

If you suspect that you have found this beetle or seen symptoms of the Fusarium dieback on your tree please contact either the County Ag Commissioner office, your local UC Cooperative Extension farm or pest control advisor, or Dr. Akif Eskalen.