Fig trees in the Western Cape have been under attack from the Asian Long Horned Beetle (LHB). No chemical or biological control methods are currently known. The LHB larvae tunnel within the trunk and branches, disrupting sap flow and weakening the tree. Fortunately, the Olive Woodpecker appears to be a natural enemy to this beetle. It can drill a hole into the tree and use its very long forked tongue to extract the larvae for lunch.
