Invasive oak borer beetle worries Oregon forestry officials

An invasive beetle that attacks oak trees has been found in several Oregon white oaks.

The Mediterranean oak borer is native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. The insect tunnels beneath a tree’s bark, carrying with it a fungus that grows within the tree and becomes the borer’s main food source.

The fungus can cause disease called oak wilt, which blocks trees’ ability to take in water and nutrients. Infected trees typically die within a few years.