"According to a statement from the city, "the Santa Cruz County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension, has confirmed the presence of the invasive shothole borer beetle in trees located in the Tannery area of the city of Santa Cruz. Arborists identified two affected trees, prompting local agencies to call on the public's help in early detection and prevention of further spread.""
"The tiny nonnative shothole borer is about the size of a sesame seed and tunnels into its tree host, where it introduces a fungus called Fusarium. The fungus subsequently causes the tree to develop a disease called Fusarium dieback, which has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of trees in the state and poses a threat to the integrity of forests, according to the University of California."
Shothole borer beetles were detected near the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, with the Santa Cruz County Department of Agriculture and UC Cooperative Extension confirming infestations in two trees. The tiny nonnative beetles tunnel into hosts and introduce a Fusarium fungus that causes Fusarium dieback, a disease responsible for thousands of tree deaths and threats to forest integrity. At-risk species include box elder, California sycamore, valley oak, Japanese maple and American sweet gum. Infestation signs include small round entry holes, visible beetle abdomens, sap or frass, wet staining, gumming and sugary buildup. Officials urge public vigilance for early detection and prevention of spread.
Read at The Mercury News
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