killing beetle discovered in San Mateo County’s Redwood Shores
Invasive shothole borers, which attack a wide variety of tree species, were found in the Redwood Shores community, the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures said Friday on its website.
First discovered in Los Angeles County in 2003, the beetles were found in Santa Clara County in August and in Santa Cruz County in October . They have no natural enemies.
The beetles don't eat wood, but they carry a fungus that disrupts water movement in the tree, according to the Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture. The fungus is the beetles' food source.
The borers have been known to attack 66 different tree species in California, including avocado, cottonwood, sycamore and oak.
The beetles leave perfectly round holes, about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.
Other signs of infestation include stains that are wet and dark or dry and light-colored; and resin or a white powder, resembling a volcano, pushed out by the beetle, according to the county agriculture department.
