Pest Photo

Joseph Benzel, Screening Aids, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Oak Ambrosia beetle

Platypus quercivorus

Oak Ambrosia beetle (Platypus quercivorus) is an insect pest.

Platypus quercivorus, a wood boring ambrosia beetle, is considered a significant pest of oaks in Japan. Raffaelea quercivora, an ambrosia fungus closely associated with and vectored by P. quercivorus, is associated with Japanese oak disease. Recent studies have shown that the cause of oak tree mortality is the blockage of the ascent of sap induced by the fungus which is transmitted by the insect. This is just one of many forest pests that are moved to un-infested forests by humans moving firewood. Help to protect our forests: don't move firewood!

For more information about this plant pest, see the CAPS data sheet and the CABI data sheet.
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