Western Australia have been fighting hard against the Shot-Hole Borer beetle since its first appearance in 2021, with state and federal government pledging $41 million to eliminate the invasive pest.
But last month, the WA government surrendered eradication efforts for management and control strategies, a move environmental experts fear could see the beetle spread to neighbouring states.
With elimination off the table – researchers say new and coordinated efforts are needed to better understand and manage the pest.

Image: Flickr – Trish Gussler – CC 2.0

Produced By: Sam Georgiou

Featured In Story: Dr Carol Booth – Policy Director Invasive Species Council, and Theodore Evans Associate Professor of Applied Entomology at the University of Western Australia

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 31 July 2025