Mediterranean oak borer raises concern for Oregon oak trees

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- An invasive insect from Europe and the Middle East that attacks oak trees has recently been found in several Oregon white oaks in Wilsonville.

The Mediterranean oak borer (MOB) is a tiny woodboring beetle that transmits multiple fungal species to the trees it infests. Some of these species may cause a disease called oak wilt, which can kill oak trees in as little as two to three years.

This insect was first found in North America when it turned up in 2017 in California, where it has been responsible for the decline and death of many native oak trees.

“MOB was found in a single trap set by ODF in Multnomah County, Oregon in 2018," said Wyatt Williams, Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) Invasive Species Specialist, "It was then found in traps in 2020 in Marion County, and in 2021-2022 in Clackamas and Washington counties. This spring it was found in a single Oregon white oak at Sandy River Delta.”

The Oregon Department of Agriculture said they and ODF have been in touch with their California counterparts to assess the impact of MOB on native and introduced oaks, while also exploring control measures.

In the meantime, to avoid spreading the insect pest, the departments of Forestry and Agriculture are asking people not to move firewood from oak trees beyond the local area where it is cut.

Landowners are asked to review the signs and symptoms of MOB (photos in the slideshow above) and report to the Oregon Invasives Hotline.