Poly Beetle Alert!

From The Baardskeerder AfrikaBurn newlsetter:

No, not poly like that but rather like this: Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer. Get to know the name (poly = many, phagous = feeding, therefore: the beetle that feeds on many types of trees). In case you didn’t get word yet about this issue, here’s the lowdown: this invasive beetle and the Fusarium fungus that it infects trees with are killing many species of trees across South Africa. And here’s where you come in: if you’re bringing wood of any kind to our event site, you need to be on the alert and inspect the wood to make 100% certain you’re not spreading this beetle’s progress.

Our advice (whether you’re bringing wood for your campfire) is to pick up firewood at your last possible opportunity, which also makes sense as far as saving on your fuel bill. And as far as ‘last possible opportunities’, that would be in Ceres in the south or Calvinia in the north – or from either of the raodside stores on the R355 (Halfway House or Tankwa Padstal). And for projects bringing wood as part of artworks or theme camps, we advise that you closely inspect the wood for any signs (like the image above) of infestation – and not bring that wood, at all.

Want resources about this beetle, and how to prevent its spread?

PSHB

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