Tiny beetle, massive bill: the global invasion jeopardizing forests and economies
Scientists warn that the polyphagous shot-hole borer, a tiny beetle native to Southeast Asia, is spreading across every continent except Antarctica and carries a fungus that causes fusarium dieback, killing trees and threatening habitats. In South Africa it has already invaded most provinces, and economists estimate potential costs around 275 billion rand (about $18.5 billion) over the next decade due to tree removals and related damage. Eradication is unlikely, so containment relies on public prevention, costly removals, and exploration of biological controls, with climate change potentially accelerating future spread.