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

CITATION: Paap, T. et al. 2020. Lessons from a major pest invasion : the polyphagous shot hole borer in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 116(11/12):8757, doi:10.17159/sajs.2020/8757.The original publication is available at https://sajs.co.zaThe 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.1 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.2-4 South Africa is no different from other countries and is experiencing an increasing rate of introductions of damaging forest pests.5,6 These invasions are largely unintentional and are a by-product of globalisation and increasing global trade.7,8 The movement of living plants and plant products, including untreated wood packaging materials (i.e. pallets, dunnage and crating), is known to be a major pathway for these pests.9,10 For clarification, in this commentary we use the terms ‘insect’ and ‘pathogen’ to distinguish between the two types of organisms, although we also use the general term ‘pest’ to refer to both groups. The term ‘invasive pest’ is used for introduced species that, in addition to maintaining a self-sustaining population, show evidence of spread and impact.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8757Publisher's versio