Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer

A new Quarantine Area Notice (QAN) to support the Transition to Management (T2M) phase of the response, has come into effect. The QAN covers the entire Perth metropolitan area. This measure aims to support the new phase of the response and minimise the spread of the polyphagous shot-hole borer (shot-hole borer). 

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is asking all Perth residents to keep an eye out for the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).

The polyphagous shot-hole borer is a wood-boring exotic beetle that excavates tunnels in both stressed and healthy trees. The beetles cultivate fungus in the tunnels as a food source. Infested trees can become unsafe and die within two years. Boxelder maple trees, robinias, coral trees, Moreton Bay and Port Jackson figs, and London plane trees are particularly susceptible.

Please see the video below and view the image gallery to help identify polyphagous shot-hole borer.



Image gallery

Click on an image to expand.


Quarantine area

As of 12 November 2025, the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development has extended the PSHB quarantine to the entire Perth Metropolitan area.

The quarantine area is divided into two zones: a Management Zone (including Town of Bassendean) and a Containment Zone.

  • The Management Zone covers the inner metropolitan area and is the area of known borer infestation. Under the T2M response plan, tree removal and pruning in this zone have been discontinued. Landowners in the Management Zone are now responsible for managing borer-affected trees, supported by DPIRD's advice and training.
  • The Containment Zone covers the outskirts of the metropolitan area and serves as a buffer zone. Targeted surveillance is under way in this area. DPIRD will remove and prune infested trees within the Containment Zone on a case-by-case basis. 

Movement Restrictions

To limit the spread of shot-hole borer, the following restrictions apply to the movement of host plant material:

  • Host plant material must not be moved from the Management Zone to the Containment Zone or to outside the QA.
  • Host plant material must not be moved from within the QA to outside the QA.
  • Any machinery, equipment and vehicles used in the processing or handling of wood, including wood mulching and chipping, must be cleaned of all wood and plant material before being moved into the Containment Zone or outside of the QA.

These restrictions apply to host plant material such as unseasoned wood, green waste and mulch that is larger than 2.5 cm in diameter, and live plants with woody stems greater than 2 cm in diameter.

For more information including an interactive map showing each Management Zone please visit agric.wa.gov.au/borer.

Report

If you think you've found borer damage, report it to DPIRD at 08 9368 3080, [email protected], or through the MyPestGuide app.

Learn more

For the latest information and news on the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), visit the DPIRD website.


Images and video supplied by the DPIRD.