Joburg City Parks and Zoo investigate infections

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo announced they have been working tirelessly to investigate infections of the shot hole borer. Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, MMC for Community Development for the City of Joburg said a task team had engaged with insect specialists including academics, entomologists, and arbour culturists to consult on this particular alien invasive beetle known as the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB). She said it was named as such due to the effect it creates which is similar to that of a shotgun having been fired into a tree. To date, almost a 100 tree species have been identified as being infected. “The PSHB infestation is a national problem, and the current action plan is focused on gathering and analysing as much information as possible, as well as working in collaboration with the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries who are taking a lead in dealing with this issue as well as other organisations and private institutions,” she said. Read more | Source: sandtonchronicle.co.za