5-Spined Bark Beetle

Protecting Our Community’s Green Spaces: Managing the 5-Spined Bark Beetle in Broadway Park

Welcome to the City of Armadale’s 5-Spined Bark Beetle page, here you'll find information about the infestation affecting trees in Broadway Park, how we’re managing the issue, and what this means for our community.

About the 5-Spined Bark Beetle

The 5-Spined Bark Beetle (Ips grandicollis) is a pest that attacks pine trees, boring into the bark and causing extensive internal damage. This activity weakens and eventually kills the trees, increasing the risk of fallen trees or branches in public spaces. In some areas, untreated infestations have led to large-scale tree loss, especially in drought-affected areas where trees are already vulnerable.

These beetles reproduce rapidly, sometimes completing up to four breeding cycles per year in favourable conditions, which accelerates tree damage. Infested trees often show signs of browning needles, sap accumulation around boreholes, and canopy thinning.

Current Location of Infestation

The 5-Spined Bark Beetle has been identified in Broadway Park, a popular green space off Nicholson Road in Piara Waters. The infestation has affected a number of Monterey Pine trees in the area, with a further stand of trees on Whitaker Turn and Columbia Parkway potentially at risk. Our management plan includes targeted tree removal, treatment, and monitoring in these locations to contain the spread and protect surrounding natural areas.

Differentiating Between Beetles: 5-Spined Bark Beetle vs. Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer

The City is actively managing infestations of two different beetles affecting local trees:

• 5-Spined Bark Beetle
  • Targets pine trees, boring under the bark and causing significant internal damage.
  • Affects Broadway Park and nearby areas.
  • Typically spreads in dry conditions where trees are under stress.
• Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)
  • Targets a variety of tree species, creating small, shot-like holes in the bark as it bores into the wood.
  • The PSHB infestation is being managed separately by the City, with different treatment and containment strategies.

Both beetles can cause serious damage, but each requires unique management plans to effectively protect tree health and prevent further spread.

Resources and Helpful Links

To learn more about the 5-Spined Bark Beetle, its impacts, and management practices, visit:

• Business Queensland – Detailed resources on 5-Spined Bark Beetle identification, lifecycle, and general information for Australia.
  Business Queensland Website.
• Australian Government – Agriculture and Water Resources – Information on pest management and biosecurity for local communities.
  Australian Government Agriculture.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to provide feedback on the beetle management program, please reach out. We welcome community input and are committed to keeping residents informed.

Contact Us: Email info@armadale.wa.gov.au with any queries, and our team will be in touch to provide further information or assistance.