CalFire and the San Bernardino National Forest Service announced Thursday they had detected the goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) in recently-killed black oak trees in the Oak Glen community.

The GSOB is an invasive beetle native to southeastern Arizona that can kill oaks native to this state, officials said. Larvae found under tree bark was analyzed and confirmed to be GSOB.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20181130/invasive-oak-beetle-found-in-san-bernardino-county

Discovered in October by citizen science volunteers working with the U.S. Forest Service, the San Diego River Park Foundation, and the Nat, presence of the beetle in the San Diego River watershed means probable habitat loss for endangered animal species. The Bell’s vireo and the willow flycatcher nest in riparian habitats (next to a water source), where Perez said healthy “soggy root” trees are vulnerable.

https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2018/dec/21/stringers-shot-hole-beetle-invades-san-diego-river/

The day after Christmas, Oak Glen was packed with people driving up to the 4,700 foot level - not only for the apples, but to take in the incredible scenery, punctuated by majestic oak trees. Many of them are more than 100 years old.

Arborist Doug Chudy with the Wildlands Conservancy says more than half the trees in Oak Glen are oaks.

But look closely and you'll a find a little pest that threatens their very existence: the goldspotted oak borer.

https://abc7.com/society/pest-killing-oaks-in-oak-glen/4972822/