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Biosecurity SA has produced a new information poster for commercial growers and the public on signs to look out for in detecting Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid disease (PSTVd). More information or view poster (
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European House Borer
European House Borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus Linnaeus is a destructive pest of seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce. If allowed to become established it can cause major structural damage to buildings. EHB is prevalent in Western Australia, where it was discovered in 2004.
EHB is usually found in dead pinewood or the deadwood inclusions of live pine trees. This has included dried out branch stubs, damaged branches and trunks, dead trees and logs. There have also been some finds in untreated structural pine timber and untreated pine furniture in WA.
The adult EHB beetle lays its eggs into cracks, holes and joints in dead pine trees, dead branches, or other dead parts of living trees and untreated pine timber.
The damage is done by EHB larvae that hatch from the eggs. European House Borer can live in its larval state for two to twelve years until it matures and emerges from the timber as an adult beetle to begin the cycle again.
The timber can be repeatedly infested until no sound wood remains and structural collapse may occur. Wood infected by EHB larvae is hard to identify and is often only detected after the mature beetle has emerged from the timber to take flight.
The main timbers that are likely to be affected by EHB are:
- Pine (Pinus spp)
- Oregon (Douglas fir – Pseudotsuga spp)
These timbers are much less susceptible to damage when they have been treated by appropriate chemicals prior to installation.
The pest is able to live in a wide variety of climatic conditions however it prefers temperate habitats.
An EHB program has commenced in South Australia that is managing the risk of any potential EHB incursion.
The movement of pine timber from WA to SA is prohibited unless it complies with Condition 4 of the Plant Quarantine Standard.
European House Borer - Condition 4 (PDF 63.0 KB)
Frequently asked questions about EHB
European House Borer – Pest Alert (29 June 2011) (PDF 144.9 KB). (HTML version)
To report suspect cases of EHB, please contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
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| Adult European House Borer | European House Borer exit holes | Larva boring through timber |
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/planthealth/emergency_plant_pests/european_house_borer
- Page Last Modified: May 7, 2012