Xyleborus perforans (island pinhole borer)

Attacked plants may show signs of wilting, branch die-back, shoot breakage, chronic debilitation, sun-scorch or a general decline in vigour.

When Xyleborus species are detected in plant material in areas outside the present range of the species, it is necessary to immediately destroy all of the infested material. When they are detected in traps, plant material in the vicinity of the trap should be actively inspected, with special attention directed towards imported woody products such as crating, dunnage and lumber milling scraps. If an active infestation is detected, control using insecticides is possible but is of limited effectiveness. Chemical control is not generally effective because the adult beetles bore deep into the host material. However, Jose and Thankamony (2005) found that a mixture of carbaryl and quinalphos was highly effective (99%) against infestation of rubber trees by Xyleborus perforans and X. similis, when swabbed weekly on the beetle-infested region of the bark. Jagginavar and Naik (2005) also report on the management of X. perforans in pomegranate orchards using insecticide mixtures. The following insecticides were used against the ambrosia beetle, Euwallacea fornicatus, which is destructive to tea: fenvalerate, deltamethrin, quinalphos and cypermethrin (Muraleedhaan, 1995). Selvasundaram et al. (2001) found that lambda-cyhalothrin 2.5 EC was more effective in reducing E. fornicatus populations than fenvalerate. Jose et al. (1989) suggest the use of solutions of boric acid and borax, which have both fungicidal and some insecticidal action, to protect stored wood. These insecticides may also be effective against other ambrosia beetles, but the concealed habitats in which these species feed and reproduce, the difficulties and high costs of insecticide application, and environmental concerns all limit the effectiveness of chemical control. The use of the parasitoid, Phymastichus xylebori, which attacks the adult beetle, has been suggested by LaSalle (1995). However, it seems unlikely that this would be practical or effective. In logging areas, prompt removal of the felled timber from the area will reduce attacks, and rapid conversion to seasoned, sawn timber will reduce the depth of such attacks as have occurred (Roberts, 1987). It should be noted that debarking may increase the susceptibility to attack (Supriana et al., 1978). X. perforans normally forms part of a complex of bark and ambrosia beetle species attacking felled trees, and control measures need to be directed against all species at the same time (Beaver, 2000).

X. perforans has been recorded as a minor pest of sugarcane and coconut trees in Indonesia (Kalshoven, 1964; Browne, 1968), and in the days of wooden beer, wine and rum barrels, was known to bore into casks and cause leakage (Blandford, 1893; Schedl, 1963). It has been known to cause minor damage by its attacks on the tapped panels of rubber trees in Guyana and Sri Lanka (Browne, 1968), and on coffee and coffee shade trees in Suriname (LePelley, 1968). However, it is more important in many areas because of its heavy attacks on newly felled trees and recently sawn, unseasoned timber. The attacks result in numerous pinholes in the wood and fungal staining around them (Browne, 1961), and can render the timber unusable for furniture or veneer.