7 thoughts on “Euwallacea interjectus (Blandford): Greater shothole borer”

1. The preferred common name for E. interjectus is greater shothole borer.
   The common name used in the report is not a god fit because it attacks many more species than box elder

2. I recommend changing the common name from “boxelder ambrosia beetle” to “greater shothole borer.” Naming Euwallacea beetles after their hosts is problematic, as they have broad host ranges. The host range of E. interjectus is still being established, but infestations have been documented on Populus trichocarpa, Salix spp., Platanus racemosa, and Quercus agrifolia. Additionally, probing galleries observed in cross-sections of Salix species suggest reproduction in these hosts. Given the long-term research and public outreach efforts surrounding this beetle, a simple yet informative common name is preferred. “Greater shothole borer” aligns with its classification within the Euwallacea-Fusarium ambrosia beetle complex and reflects its relatively larger size. Thank you for your consideration.

3. I propose that the common name be changed from the “boxelder ambrosia beetle” to the “greater shothole borer.” Naming Euwallacea beetles after hosts is problematic because they have broad host ranges. We are still working to establish the host range of E. interjectus and have found infestations on Populus trichocarpa, Salix spp., Platanus racemosa, and Quercus agrifolia. We observed probing galleries on individuals of Salix species in cross-section, suggesting that it can reproduce in these species. As a scientific community that is working on this beetle over the long term and will be conducting extensive outreach to the public, we prefer to use a simple but informative common name. “Greater shothole borer” is preferred because it indicates that it is part of the Euwallaceae-Fusarium ambrosia beetle complex but is morphologically larger. Thank you for your consideration.

4. The name “greater shothole borer” is preferred

5. Due to the wide range of known and potential hosts, I would recommend the proposed name to be changed from boxelder ambrosia beetle to greater shothole borer. This will reduce confusion with managers who may erroneously believe only boxelder is susceptible.

6. Hello my name is Fernando, I am an arborist who has worked with ISHB in Southern California and am currently monitoring/trapping for a local municipality in Northern California.

   Furthermore, the common name proposed has potential to cause significant confusion for the public, on an already complex issue. We should select a common name that is detailed and representative of the pest. The name “box elder ambrosia beetle” may confuse and mislead people because it may cause them to think that box elder is an obligate host. The pest has a wide variety of hosts, and although box elder is one of the most susceptible hosts, its proposed name is misleading.

   Considering that this pest is one of three species that makes up the Invasive Shole Hole Borer complex, I think we should keep the key words “shot hole borer” in the name for consistency and clarity. Likewise, the other names of the pests within the complex attempt to refer to the Fusarium sp. that they are associated with. Thus, I think it makes the most sense to attempt and try to loop in the fungus species with the common name and retain “shot hole borer.” Given the size of the exit hole that are bigger (about 4 mm), it may be worthwhile to reference this in the common name.

   Some name suggestions:
   Big shot hole borer
   Oversize shot hole borer
   Large shot hole borer
   Florida shot hole borer or Floridian shot hole borer (references the fungus botanical name)
   Jumbo shot hole borer (credit to someone from midpen that stated this as a joke but I think its actually digestible for public perception)
   Elephant shot hole borer or giant shot hole borer

   Additionally, given the score the pest received, I think an A pest rating is the most suitable, since it may allow local county to have a greater capacity to enforce actions that contain the infestation and regulate the movement of infested wood. Furthermore, I do not understand why the pest was given a B rating if the pest received such a high score and has already demonstrated to have results in significant economic and ecological damages in other areas of the state.

   1. Hello,

      Thank all of you for commenting on the Euwallacea interjectus pest rating proposal.

      Regarding the common name, I have changed it to “greater shothole borer.”

      Regarding the comment on the rating, an “A” rating is not appropriate considering that this pest is established in the environment in California and it is not subject to state-led eradication. A “B” rating allows the county to enforce actions similar to as if it was “Q” or “A”-rated.

      Thank you,

      Kyle Beucke
      Primary State Entomologist
      California Department of Food and Agriculture

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