Episode Details

A tiny but devastating pest, the polyphagous shot-hole borer, has turned Perth’s parks into battlegrounds—and now threatens Australia’s avocado heartland. First spotted in WA in 2021, this millimeter-sized beetle burrows into trees, causing widespread destruction. After failed eradication efforts, focus has shifted to long-term control, especially as it’s now found in prime avocado orchards near Perth—where softer wood makes trees easy targets. Scientists at Murdoch University are racing to understand what attracts or repels the beetles, hoping to design smarter traps and stop its spread to warmer regions. But with bird flu dominating headlines, critics worry biosecurity resources are being diverted. Officials insist beetle surveillance and controls remain on track—but time is running out for Australia’s avocado farmers.

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