Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff)
(=Xyleborus fornicatus (Eichhoff))

Taxonomic position

Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini

Common names

Shot hole borer, tea shot hole borer

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

Castor, tea, coffee, Gmelina arborea, mango, guava, pomegranate, teak and a wide range of trees.

Infested branches and stems show small holes from which powdery matter is thrown out by the insect inside and gradually dry up and die. "Rarely found attacking the stems of old castor plants" (Ramakrishna Ayyar, 1938). Adult beetle is very small and dark reddish brown.

Pest status

Minor on castor. Occasionally serious on tea in South India, causing direct crop loss and death of severely infested bushes after pruning. Known to attack stored timber of G. arborea and also the saplings, mainly in summer months.

It is an invasive pest in the US and categorized as a high risk quarantine pest in many countries.

For detailed datasheet, see CABI's Invasive Species Compendium.

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